VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Maria Gaminde, who has been missing since 2024, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Maria was a teacher at University High School in Orange City. The couple has three children, all of whom are now living with Maria’s family.
Epifanio Ramos Gaminde was taken into custody Monday following a lengthy investigation that included investigators traveling to the Philippines, Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced Tuesday.
Investigators said Gaminde previously told authorities his wife had left the family and traveled to the Philippines. However, Maria’s family reported concerns about changes in her communication, prompting investigators to look further into her disappearance.
According to Chitwood, investigators discovered that Gaminde’s niece in the Philippines had been pretending to be Maria to make it appear she was still alive.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza said the niece is cooperating with investigators and is not currently facing charges.
“She tells us how her documents, important documents, driver’s license, credit cards were sent to her, what instructions were given, where to go to Japan to shop and where to go to the Philippines to shop,” Chitwood said.
Larizza said the niece explained how she helped make it appear that Maria was still alive.
Gaminde has not made any statements to investigators, according to authorities. He is being held without bond and is also subject to an immigration detainer by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Investigators are now working to locate Maria’s body. Authorities are searching the couple’s home in DeBary and are examining the backyard as part of the investigation.
Chitwood said investigators are considering whether the backyard could be connected to Maria’s disappearance. He cited a neighbor who reported that Gaminde had been doing extensive work in the backyard around the time Maria went missing.
“We’re not 100 percent sure, but we’re thinking about it because according to a neighbor, right around the time she went missing, the defendant was doing a lot of work in this backyard,” Chitwood said.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue searching for Maria and gathering evidence in the case.
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