A Hungarian man, Zsolt Zsolyomi, 25, has been arrested and charged with two brutal murders in Miami-Dade County, with authorities revealing that they believe he was specifically targeting elderly gay men.
Police Chief Manny Morales of the City of Miami and Police Chief Wayne Jones of Miami Beach shared details on how the investigation led to Zsolyomi’s arrest, emphasizing that the suspect had been preying on vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. “This individual who was out there, preying on members of our community, would have gotten away with these crimes if it wasn’t for the diligent work of our investigators and the partnership with these agencies,” said Morales.
Zsolyomi is facing two counts of second-degree murder, linked to two separate cases. The first victim, Carlos Villaquiran, a 66-year-old man, was found dead in his Miami Beach apartment on November 21, 2024. An autopsy revealed he died from strangulation. Two months later, 71-year-old Rodolfo Fernandez de Velasco was discovered in his car in Little Havana with both seatbelts wrapped around his neck, a sign of foul play.
One of Fernandez de Velasco’s neighbors, Michael Jantzi, shared his sorrow over the loss, recalling how Fernandez de Velasco, known as “Papi,” was a quiet man who would often go unnoticed. “It hurts,” Jantzi said, reflecting on the tragedy.
Through a collaborative effort from multiple law enforcement agencies, Zsolyomi was tracked down and arrested. Miami Beach Police Chief Jones expressed relief at the capture, stating, “Thank goodness we did because there’s no doubt in my mind that if he had not been caught, he would have done this again, and again, and again.”
Zsolyomi, who is being held without bond, also faces an immigration hold due to overstaying his visa. Investigators believe that without the coordinated work of the police, Zsolyomi could have continued his murderous spree.
