Heyzel Obando, a 26-year-old Hispanic woman, was tragically found dead on February 14, 2016, in her apartment in Fort Myers, Florida. Her death was initially suspicious and later ruled a homicide. Obando had been shot once through the temple, a wound that severed her spinal cord before exiting the back of her neck. The investigation revealed that she had been dead for nearly a day before her boyfriend, Earl Antonio Joiner, called 911, claiming to have found her covered in blood.
Earl
Antonio Joiner, a former college football player for the University of Florida, was arrested in 2019, more than three years after Obando's death. Joiner, who was 37 at the time of his arrest, faced charges of second-degree murder. The case against him was bolstered by evidence of a history of domestic violence. Joiner had been previously arrested twice for beating Obando, and witnesses reported that their relationship was marked by his violent temper and threats. One neighbor recalled Obando saying, "One day, I'm going to kill you," referring to Joiner.
The investigation into Obando's death was complex and prolonged, involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The case gained renewed attention when the television show "Cold Justice" began investigating, leading to Joiner's arrest in 2019. During the trial, it was revealed that Joiner had subjected Obando to years of physical abuse. On the day of her death, Joiner called 911, but his behavior during the call and subsequent actions raised suspicions. He was found performing CPR on Obando, but it was clear to the responding officers that she had been dead for some time.
In June 2023, Joiner was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. The court proceedings highlighted the tragic circumstances of Obando's death and the impact on her family, particularly her two young daughters, who were left without their mother. The case underscored the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of thorough investigations in bringing perpetrators to justice.
