Press Releases

Presas murder
July 18, 2009

More than a month after a man is shot while playing video games in his own bedroom, police are still looking for clues on who committed this heinous crime.

“I’d hate to believe that it’s that simple to go out and murder someone, and get away with it," said Linda Vanasse, the victim's mother.

But for now, that’s exactly the case with 11 unsolved murders in the City of Fort Myers since January.

One of those victims was Ricardo Presas, a 28 year old in the midst of adopting the three year old little girl he’s raised for the last year and half. On June 11th, Presas was shot in his home while he sat playing video games.

“I went into the bedroom and I saw my son in a chair… with a bullet wound to the back of his head. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to see, and that’s the picture that stays in my mind," Vanasse said.

Presas spent most of his life growing up in Fort Myers – the same community where he would be murdered in. Since his death, there’s been a lot of talk on the street, but very little of that information is being passed along to authorities – and thus, a killer remains at large.

“Because so many people did know our victim – people are talking amongst themselves, we just need them to come forward and talk to us," said Sgt. Pete Tarman of the Fort Myers Police Department.

Presas’ mother says she simply cannot, and will not, accept the fact that someone could betray her son’s trust, and kill him in cold blood, then just walk away like nothing ever happened.

“The person who killed my son is a coward and I would like to say that to his face," Vanasse said.

Detectives say there have been some leads in this case, but it’s going to take someone coming forward with more information before Presas’ killer can be brought to justice.

“Every little piece of the puzzle helps put the big picture together," Tarman said.

Family members are begging anyone with information on Presas’ death to do what’s right, clear their conscience and make our community safer by taking one more thug off the street.

“We thought we could live in a trustworthy world, but that’s not what it is anymore. It’s full of crime and violence, and the more people we can put behind bars, it’s gonna clean this place up," Vanasse said.

Anyone with information on the murder of Ricardo Presas, or any other unsolved case, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips can also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org