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Suspect indicted in killing of Okeechobee County mother of 4

Posted at 1:03 PM, Feb 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-14 18:50:44-05

A grand jury indicted a man Tuesday on first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of a Okeechobee County mother of four children.

Christopher Shows, 21, is charged with killing Amanda Suarez, 25, in early December.

Amanda's family learned of the grand jury's decision this afternoon.

"In the end if he does not make it back out onto the streets for the rest of his life, whatever length that life is, we're happy with that," said Leah Suarez, Amanda's mother-in-law. 

Suarez is helping to raise Amanda's four children and keep her memory alive.

"It was her birthday yesterday," said Suarez. "So, it's a relief for us because we know we're on the path to justice for her, and that's what we all hope for, and are living for to make sure her death was not in vain."  

A relative found Suarez dead from a gunshot wound to the back of her head Dec. 7 at her home on NW 3rd Street. Shows was arrested 10 days later.

On Tuesday, he was indicted on the following charges:

  • First-degree murder with a firearm
  • Burglary of a dwelling with an assault or battery while armed -- discharge of a firearm
  • Abuse of a dead human body
  • Second-degree petit theft
  • Tampering with evidence

Investigators said Shows had made sexual advances that Suarez rejected.  The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office said he then went to his truck, armed himself with a .22 rifle, went back inside and shot Suarez as she tried to run out the back door.