VERO BEACH, Fla. — Police in Vero Beach said Friday they continue to search for a man accused of killing two Indian River County employees earlier this week.
Investigators revealed new details, saying they believe the suspect, Jesse Scott Ellis, 64, got out of the ocean north of South Beach Park and was assisted ashore by people on Tuesday.
WATCH BELOW: Video shows Vero Beach double murder suspect getting out of ocean
"(Ellis told people at the beach that) he had a cramp, and that he was OK," Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey said Friday. "He got up and started walking."
Police previously said Ellis drove to South Beach Park after the 7 a.m. shooting, jumped into the water before 8 a.m. and swam about 900 yards offshore.
Fire department crews responded to the Riomar Country Club area, used a boat at about 8:30 a.m., and went into the water to get Ellis, not knowing who he was. Rescuers spoke to him, but did not bring him back to shore after Ellis told rescuers he wanted to be left alone, saying he was a deep-water swimmer.
During a Friday news conference, Currey showed a new surveillance picture of Ellis at the beach, walking south, at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday.
"This appears to be him. We've shown the photos to friends and family," Currey said. "He certainly could have made it back to his truck right before we located the truck at 12:45 p.m. (Tuesday)."
WATCH BELOW: Police continue searching for double homicide suspect
The police chief said Ellis left "wet and sandy" clothing inside his vehicle, which they found when they searched the suspect's truck at South Beach Park on Tuesday.
Currey said they found a journal inside Ellis' truck where the suspect described the mental anguish he was suffering.
"(Ellis's journal outlined) the pain that he was in, couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, wished he could have done something better. He wanted to crawl up in a hole," Currey said.
Describing the suspect as a "gun enthusiast," the police chief on Friday laid out what investigators found at Ellis' home this week.
"He left his gun locker open and numerous, numerous firearms that he left at the house, left his phone there with a post-it (note) on it and the PIN number," Currey said. "We have his driver's license. We have his passport. He's flagged at any airport with Homeland Security. We have his wallet. We have his credit cards. ... He has no resources."
Investigators on Thursday issued two first-degree murder warrants for his arrest.
The victims, Danny Ooley and Stacie Ellis Mason, both worked for Indian River County Public Works. Police said Ooley and Mason were shot inside a truck in the parking lot of the library on Tuesday at about 7 a.m.
Using an AR-15, police said Ellis fired "multiple" shots into the Ford Ranger to kill Ooley and Mason. Currey said the weapon was recovered at the scene of the crime along with 21 shell casings.
"He executed those two individuals," Currey said Friday.
Investigators called the killings a "crime of passion." Ellis and Mason were married for 13 years but were planning to separate or divorce. Police said Ooley and Mason were seeing each other for a short period of time.
Call the Vero Beach Police Department at 772-978-4600 if you can help in the case. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477. You may be eligible for a cash reward.
The police chief urged the public to "remain vigilant" as the search for Ellis continues.
"We're following up on any lead, even as small as it may be," Currey said.
