Accused Estranged Husband Arrested in Florida Storage Unit Murder Case
Estranged husband charged with murder after wife's body discovered in Florida storage unit, marking a tragic end to a relationship marred by violence
The authorities in Florida have charged the estranged husband of a woman whose body was discovered in a storage unit in Orange County with her murder. Shakeira Yvonne Rucker, 37, was reported missing after her family informed the Winter Springs Police Department that they had last seen her on November 11, as previously reported by CNN.
The Ruckers family reported that she left her home for an "unknown destination," possibly with her estranged husband, Cory Hill, according to the police. Law enforcement officials in Florida stated last month that her disappearance is now being treated as a homicide after her body was discovered in a storage unit registered to Hill.
"The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit has officially lodged accusations against Cory Hill for the killing of Shakeira Rucker," prosecutors declared in a release on Friday. "Hill is still incarcerated without bail following his November apprehension for Attempted Second Degree Murder and additional charges related to his former girlfriend and her family."
Cory Hill
Orange County Jail
51-year-old Hill was arrested and booked in Orange County Jail on November 13 for an unrelated shooting, according to CNN. He was accused of attempting to murder his former girlfriend and her family on November 12, firing shots at them. Now, in addition to the previous charge, Hill faces a Second Degree Murder (With a Firearm) charge for the death of Ms. Rucker, as announced by prosecutors on Friday. Ms. Rucker's body was discovered in a self-storage facility located at 2400 Wiggins Road in Apopka after a complaint about a foul odor emanating from a unit registered to Cory Hill.
Upon opening the unit, deputies discovered the lifeless body of a woman, later identified as Rucker, who had succumbed to apparent gunshot wounds, according to Mina. Prosecutors have stated their intention to pursue a first-degree murder indictment in relation to Rucker's homicide.
The State is only allowed to file a Second-Degree Murder charge via Information before presenting the case to the Orange County Grand Jury, according to procedural rules, the statement explained. CNN has contacted the public defender representing Hill for a comment.
CNNs Sarah Dewberry contributed to this report.
