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Investigation continues into likely suicide, related deaths

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A Cape Coral woman who allegedly committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning, inadvertently killing her husband and one of her children in the process, was facing a domestic violence charge.

At about 2:30 p.m., Sunday, police responded to a home at 2614 N.E. Second Ave. A relative had arrived to find Amanda T. Florea, 30, dead inside the residence. The bodies of Eric L. Florea, 36, and Aiden L. Florea, 4, were located in the home as well, along with a dog’s body, according officials.

“Preliminary information released yesterday was that all three subjects succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning,” Sgt. Dana Coston, spokesman for the CCPD, said in a prepared statement on Monday.

“Today, detectives confirmed that this is still the initial determination,” he added.

Based on evidence at the scene, detectives believe that Amanda Florea committed suicide by leaving both family cars running in the closed garage, where she was found. Eric Florea and Aiden were likely unintentionally poisoned when the carbon monoxide gas infiltrated the living areas of the residence.

A relative of the Floreas declined to talk about the incident via a phone call on Tuesday.

She asked for privacy for the family before hanging up.

On June 28, Amanda Florea was arrested and charged with one count of battery cause bodily harm domestic violence. According to a report, police responded to the home, where they came into contact with the couple. Eric Florea had a large scratch mark, redness and four-inch laceration on his neck.

“He immediately stated that he did not want to see his wife go to jail and didn’t want to press charges,” the report states. “He then stated that she can’t handle her liquor and began arguing with him.”

Police observed that Amanda and Eric Florea showed signs of intoxication.

Amanda Florea told police that she overhead her husband talking about bitcoins to their daughter, adding that bitcoins is a code word for cocaine. She confronted them about having drugs.

Police noted that the couple’s daughter was not present in the home.

She told police that her husband threw her around, so she grabbed him by the neck and was throwing him out of the house. No injuries were observed on her. Amanda Florea was taken into custody.

Eric Florea stated that he would not provide anything in writing to police about the incident, however he “did admit that it was probably best to split the couple up for the night,” according to the report.

The couple’s son was reportedly present throughout the altercation.

“(Florida) Department of Children and Families will be notified,” the report states.

Amanda Florea had an arraignment on the battery charge set for Tuesday.

Attorney Tom Busatta, who was representing her, explained that there also was a motion on the table to lift a no contact order between Florea and her husband that was put in place as a result of the arrest.

“Her husband wanted contact with her,” he said.

Busatta noted that Eric Florea even filed a document stating that he did not want to prosecute.

As of Friday, however, the State Attorney’s Office was moving forward with the case.

“She was very concerned about the charge against her,” he said, adding that Florea called his law firm dozen of times a day and also texted. “I think it was a situation and it became unbearable for her.”

“We assured her we were doing what we had to do, but it was in the hands of the prosecutor,” Busatta added.

The family had moved to the area from Oregon within the last few months.

“I deal with a lot of domestic violence situations,” he said. “I’ve never had a situation like this.”

Busatta pointed out that his client was suspected of battery and was to have no contact with the victim, yet lived in the same home and then ended up committing suicide, taking two other lives with her.

The couple’s 16-year-old daughter was apparently not home at the time.

“Domestic violence is a serious issue and this is the worst case that could happen,” he said.

Busatta questioned whether law enforcement had notified DCF and its role, if any.

“There were some signs out there of issues going on,” he said.

Two days after his wife’s arrest, Eric Florea was arrested and charged with one count of drugs possession of controlled substance without prescription. The state declined to press charges.

“This may have been a situation where the children should have been removed from this residence,” Busatta said.

DCF officials reported on Tuesday that they were aware of the family.

“We are devastated to learn of the tragic loss of Aiden Florea and his parents,” Department of Children and Families secretary Mike Carroll said. “We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the events that led to his death. A full quality assurance review will be conducted to see if any action could have been taken that would have prevented his death.”

Officials confirmed that one prior child protective investigation in Florida involving Aiden was initiated last month. However, details of the investigation are confidential per state statutes.

Cape police reported that the investigation is ongoing.