Suicidal Comment Leads to Alleged Murder Victim and First-Degree Murder Charge for Tampa Man

An alleged suicidal comment led to the arrest of a Tampa man who authorities believe murdered his girlfriend.

Last Saturday Hector Favio “Pops” Acevedo allegedly called his mother Maria Soto, telling her that he wished to end his own life. Police say she picked him up and brought the 24-year-old to her home, subsequently asking an off-duty sheriff’s deputy to her residence for help with the situation.

According to the police report, the off-duty deputy contacted deputies who were on the clock while Acevedo was sleeping. Acting under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for the involuntary commitment of people who may be a danger to themselves, the on-duty deputies apprehended him and discovered a 9mm pistol during the search incident to his arrest. Acevedo, having a prior felony on his record involving the illegal sale of cannabis and cocaine, is not legally allowed to possess a firearm.

Arresting officers allege that Acevedo had blood stains on his clothing and legs. As deputies were arresting him, Acevedo allegedly asked them whether they had found “her,” an initially cryptic reference that they say he eventually clarified as referring to Shyeanne Lewis, his 23-year-old girlfriend.

After a fruitless search of her prior address, deputies say Acevedo told them that Lewis could be found at another apartment. Deputies allegedly discovered Lewis’s body at the residence, the corpse riddled with almost two dozen stab wounds.

The report says that Acevedo informed them that he slew Lewis in the course of an altercation at around three o’clock that morning. Deputies say they found his blood-sodden clothing at the residence and the alleged murder weapon as well.

Acevedo, who will mark his twenty-fifth birthday on the 26th of this month, is being held without bond on seventeen felony counts including one count of first-degree murder.

The Law Offices of Bjorn Brunvand have been representing people charged with capital murder, felony drug charges, drunk driving, government fraud, and white-collar crimes for over a quarter century. Contact our office today to discuss your Tampa Bay-area state or federal charges.