“‘My dad is hitting my mother’: Child calls 911 as father allegedly kills mom with hammer, tells dispatcher ‘I do not hear her anymore,’ police say”
Left inset: Felipe Ayala (Springfield Police Department). Right inset: Suzette Flores (GoFundMe). Background: Police at the Missouri residence where Felipe Ayala allegedly murdered Suzette Flores while their three children were home (KOLR/YouTube).
A Missouri woman was killed Wednesday night in what police say was a domestic violence attack that unfolded while one of her children was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher.
According to Springfield police, Felipe Ayala, 34, is accused of killing Suzette Flores, 47, inside the garage of their home. One of the couple’s children called 911 at about 11:20 p.m., telling the dispatcher that his father was attacking his mother and that he was scared.
Court documents say the child reported hearing loud banging noises and later told the dispatcher that his mother was no longer responding. Police noted that the child was crying and repeatedly asked if officers were on the way.
Investigators allege that Ayala and Flores had been arguing in the garage before the attack escalated. The child later told police that he witnessed Ayala choking Flores and striking her. According to the affidavit, Ayala allegedly told Flores, “You made me do this,” during the assault and then threatened the children afterward.
Three children were inside the home at the time, police said. Ayala reportedly called them into the garage after the attack.
Officers arrived at the residence around 11:22 p.m. and ordered Ayala to come outside. Police observed blood on his clothing and body. After opening the garage, officers found Flores lying on the floor. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A hammer believed to have been used in the attack was found nearby, according to investigators.
Neighbors told police they heard screaming coming from the garage and said the assault appeared to last between 15 and 20 minutes. One neighbor reported seeing a man repeatedly striking something on the ground before the garage door was closed.
Ayala was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He is being held without bond as he awaits his next court appearance.
A GoFundMe created to support Flores’ children describes her as a devoted mother who wanted a better life for her family.
“Her life was taken suddenly and violently,” the fundraiser states. “Her children lost their mother, and she was robbed of the chance to watch them grow.”
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