The search for the bodies of a missing Deltona mother and her two children resumed on Tuesday, as investigators took a break yesterday to review case notes and follow-up on leads.
On Monday night, investigators charged Luis Toledo, the husband of Yessenia Suarez, 28, with second degree murder in her death. Deputies said, no charges have been filed yet in relation to Suarez’ two children, Michael Otto, 8, and Thalia Otto, 9, whose bodies, along with their mother’s have not been found.
Suarez and her children, who went missing one week ago, are presumed dead.
Toledo, initially was charged with domestic battery, after he showed up at his wife’s workplace in Lake Mary to confront her and a co-worker who she had been seeing, investigators said. Â Toledo ended up slapping Suarez, before fleeing the location.
Family members told investigators that Suarez had been discussing leaving Toledo and the two squabbled, although this was never reported.
Toledo, at first, told investigators that he had nothing to do with the disappearance of Suarez and her children, but later admitted that he and Suarez argued last week Tuesday night. He also told investigators that he’s trained in martial arts and knows how to deliver strikes and when his wife became aggressive, he struck her in the throat with an open hand.
Toledo told investigators that Suarez subsequently died from the blow he delivered, but has refused to disclose the whereabouts of her body. He has denied killing the children and has implicated someone else in their deaths.
Toledo has been charged with 2nd-degree murder, in Suarez’ death and is being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail.
The search for the bodies of Suarez and her two children, is ongoing.
