DeBary husband indicted for wife's murder

Epifanio Ramos Gaminde faces a first-degree murder charge in Florida for the disappearance of his wife, Maria Gaminde. Prosecutors allege he killed her and then worked to convince others that she was alive and living overseas. The couple lived in DeBary, a community in Volusia County.

Maria Gaminde has not been seen since January 2024. Her family lost confirmed contact with her around that time. Investigators say Gaminde sent text messages, emails, and credit card charges from abroad that appeared to come from Maria. Relatives told police these communications felt off. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the family reported that something was not right.

On Tuesday, officers searched the couple's property in DeBary. A neighbor reported seeing Gaminde doing heavy work behind the house around the time Maria vanished. Search teams focused on a spot where concrete had been added. Chitwood told reporters that finding remains was possible but not guaranteed. "We may get lucky, we may not get lucky," he said.

Gaminde told detectives the couple had marital issues. He claimed Maria had left for the Philippines or Japan. He has a prior record that includes two arrests for domestic violence. Investigators reviewed digital evidence and spoke with neighbors before turning their attention to him.

The case required international cooperation. The FBI assisted local prosecutors with legal issues across borders. A detective and a prosecutor traveled to the Philippines to interview Gaminde's niece. Chitwood said the niece "gives up everything" in the investigation. Gaminde had emailed Maria's driver's license and credit cards to the niece. He instructed her on how to handle the documents. Authorities believe this was a tactic to make it seem Maria was alive and avoiding family and police.

Police traced Maria's last known movements to December 2023. Fingerprints confirmed she visited Magic Kingdom at Disney World on December 16, 2023. Four days later, Gaminde texted her asking where she was. Communications from Maria stopped after that. Messages purportedly from her began arriving from overseas. Investigators found no financial trail proving she was still alive. "There's no financial trail," Chitwood said.

State attorney R.J. Larizza said the search results will not change the prosecution strategy. "We're fully prepared to move forward without the body," he said. He expressed confidence in the state's ability to build the case.

Gaminde was already in custody when the grand jury returned the indictment. He was stopped for allegedly driving without a license. He is held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued an immigration detainer for him.

The couple came to the United States together around 2008. They have three young sons. The boys were with their father when he was taken into custody. They have since been reunited with Maria's family. Chitwood said the boys had been denied contact with their mother's side of the family while in their father's care. The investigation remains ongoing.