Deltona man charged after admitting to killing wife; Children still missing

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia County man who admitted to killing his wife appeared before a judge on second-degree murder charges Tuesday although the woman's body has not yet been recovered.

Investigators said Luis Toledo, 31, admitted to killing his wife, Yessenia Suarez, but did not admit to killing her two children, who are also missing and believed to be dead.

In court on Tuesday, Toledo locked eyes with Suarez's family, a wrap still covering his arm from a suicide attempt while he was detained.

"Based on the allegations and my reading of the police report, I determine that you qualify to be held on a no bond status," the judge told Toledo.

Toledo said he killed Suarez after an argument last week, likely over a romantic relationship his wife had with a co-worker as described in a report, Channel 9's Blaine Tolison said.

Toledo has told investigators he is skilled in martial arts, which is how he was able to kill Suarez with a hit to the throat.

According to investigators, Toledo said he was not involved in the deaths of 8-year-old Michael Otto and 9-year-old Thalia Otto. He claims another person was involved in those deaths and investigators said they know who that person is but a suspect has not yet been named.

Suarez's family attended Toldeo's appearance in court and wept as Toledo looked at them on his way out of the courtroom, slightly nodding his head.

After court, the family again pleaded publicly for Toledo to tell authorities where the bodies are.

"Please, Luis. Tell us where my daughter and grandchildren is, so we can be given some peace, rest and do what we have to do to continue," said Suarez's mother, Felicia Perez.

A report released Tuesday by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office shows that cleaning products were used inside Suarez's Deltona home, and blood was cleaned up in the home.

Investigators said Toledo allowed deputies inside the house, where they said they smelled cleaning products and found evidence that blood had been cleaned up.

WFTV