A man who confessed to detectives that he strangled and killed his girlfriend one week ago, was arrested on Wednesday, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies said.
32-year-old Donald Failey, Jr., has been charged with first degree murder of his 27-year-old girlfriend Tara Romonoski of New Hampshire, whom he killed in cold blood, deputies said.
Detectives received a call from Tara’s sister, Tami Romonoski of New Hampshire asking them to check on her well-being on 235 Jeremy Drive in Emerald Lakes, Davenport, as they hadn’t heard from her since about Tuesday, March 22. Detectives entered the residence that the couple shared where they found Tara deceased in a bedroom. She was covered in a blanket and had been tied up with duct tape and electrical cords, detectives said.
The medical examiner said Tara Romonoski had been dead for about one week.
Meanwhile, Failey, last Friday had called Tara’s mother indicating she had been taken to hospital because of a “mental breakdown”. Failey also told Tara’s sister and other acquaintances the same thing. He claimed he would be picking up Tara from the hospital on Tuesday, March 29.
Deputies sent out a state wide BOLO (be on the look-out) for Tara’s vehicle, a 2008 Focus with New Hampshire plates which was found around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday. Clewiston Police located the vehicle in a Clewiston Wal-Mart with Failey inside the car sleeping.
Failey was taken into custody and questioned. He confessed to detectives he had strangled and killed Tara Romonoski and provided specific details of the crime.
Detectives said on Failey’s Facebook page was posted, verbatim, the following on Monday, March 28, 2011: “I am a piece of garbage I am a punk I hit defensless [sic] woman but won’t confront a man. I am an addict and a loser.”
“In addition to being a punk, a coward, and a loser, Donald Failey, Jr. is a cold blooded killer. He is being brought to justice for his horrific crime,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
Failey has a long criminal record, including multiple counts of property theft, shoplifting, burglary and criminal trespass.
On September 8, 2010, Failey posted verbatim on his Facebook page, “Im not around im in florida…got out of prison in december after a nice 3 yr vaca…”
