TAMPA, FLORIDA: A Florida man, who is accused of using a coverup and conspiracy to murder the mother of his child last month, now faces charges related to killing a man in a different incident in the summer of 2021.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to the side of a road in Thonotosassa near County Road 579 and Joe Ebert Road on June 12, 2021, reported Law & Crime.
A man's body was found there which prompted the officers to start an investigation into the incident. The scan details, then and now, were shared about that case.
“The case was ruled a homicide, and detectives continued to follow up on leads over the last two years,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said on Friday, August 18.
What are the additional charges against Phillip Stapleton?
Phillip Stapleton, 32, stands accused of one count each of principal to murder in the first degree and conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree for the fatal shooting of Ashley Voss, 22, a mother of two young boys on July 20.
Now, he faces one count each of murder in the first degree and tampering with evidence, authorities announced on Friday.
“Our dedicated detectives have displayed tireless determination in both of these investigations,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a recent press release.
“This shameless killer thought he could get away with murder on multiple occasions. His cold-blooded crimes end now. While nothing can fully heal the damage he has caused, I pray these victims’ loved ones find comfort in knowing Stapleton will now have to answer for his actions.”
The sheriff's office, citing “meticulous investigative efforts,” said Stapleton was the suspect in “two active homicide investigations.”
According to a criminal affidavit, Stapleton was initially considered a witness and first-charged case involving the mother of his child.
Who is Aurelio Diaz Jr?
Aurelio Diaz Jr stands as the first man arrested in the case and is accused of one count of premeditated murder in the first degree and is alleged to be the triggerman.
Voss was fatally shot in the front of her grandmother’s home on Orange Street in Seffner.
In the moments just before her tragic fate, Voss said during a text message conversation with Stapleton who is the father of her younger boy, that she had decided to hang out in her car after work because it was “too comfortable” there, the affidavit alleges.
“Detectives noted the victim was sitting on her cellular phone which was powered on,” the affidavit reads. “Detectives were able to access the phone and confirm numerous back-and-forth text messages.”
What did Phillip Stapleton tell the officers?
As Meaww previously reported, Stapleton informed the authorities in a series of interrogations that Diaz killed Voss after only being instructed to “prank” her by defecating on her grandmother’s front doorstep.
He admitted to driving Diaz to the neighborhood in question but claimed he had never discussed violence against the victim.
“[Stapleton] stated when he picked up the defendant they planned to go to the victim’s residence and for the defendant to defecate on the victim’s front porch,” the affidavit reads.
“[Stapleton] pointed out the victim’s residence, and the defendant later exited the witness’ vehicle to defecate on the victim’s porch. [Stapleton] stated at no time did he talk to the defendant about killing the victim, shooting the victim, or harming the victim. They were only playing a ‘prank’ to have the defendant defecate on the victim’s porch.”
The victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe to cover the funeral expenses and to help provide for the children.
Diaz is being detained in the Hillsborough County Falkenburg Road Jail without bond.
Stapleton briefly appeared in Pasco County booking records but was extradited to Hillsborough County.
