Kidnapped woman says ex-boyfriend had threatened her previously

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A woman kidnapped by a former boyfriend said it wasn't the first time she had problems with him.

Early Tuesday morning a state-wide alert was put out for Brett Curtis, who was believed to have taken Elizabeth Hamilton, 26, from her workplace in Lakeland.

When a South Daytona police officer began following Curtis' car a pursuit began on Interstate 95.

Investigators said Curtis called 911 several times during the pursuit and said if authorities didn't back away he would kill Hamilton. During one of the calls he fired shots from the car.

Officers used stop sticks to disable the car near the rest stop about 6 miles south of Stuckway Road.

Hamilton said that after Curtis stopped the disabled car, he forced her from the car.

"And then he started screaming, "Get out of the car," Hamilton said. "He told me to get out of the car, so I did. I was buckled up, I was freaking out. I didn't know what to do, so I ran."

Investigators said that is when Curtis shot and killed himself.

Hamilton said Curtis had threatened her before.

"When I got the first restraining order and I wouldn't agree to get back with him, and I told him he didn't necessarily have a choice in the matter," said Hamilton.

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