FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 7, 2017

Brevard County Grand Jury Issues Indictment

In Palm Bay Arson-Murder Case

The Brevard County Grand Jury issued an indictment today (Feb. 7) charging Edgard Fuentes, 64, with two murder charges, two attempted second-degree murder charges, and one charge of arson for setting a fire at the victims’ home, 576 Ixora Ave., on Jan. 11.

Fuentes’ estranged wife, Daisy Tapia, died from her injuries following the blaze. She is the victim in the one count of first-degree premeditated murder that Fuentes faces. Fuentes is charged with first-degree felony murder for the death, following the blaze, of his and Daisy Tapia’s son, Erik Montes.

Also in the house were also Erik’s ex-wife and their daughter who are the victims in the two counts of attempted second-degree murder Fuentes faces, along with the final charge of arson, said Assistant State Attorney Michael Hunt who presented the case to the grand jury.

The grand jury heard testimony from a Palm Bay Police Department Investigator, Palm Bay Crime Scene Investigator, the Brevard County Medical Examiner, and a lay witness before returning with the indictment. Fuentes has been housed in the Brevard County Jail without bond since his release from a hospital for the burns suffered during the blaze.