Aydil Barbosa Fontes, an 80-year-old woman, was found dead in a gruesome and dismembered state in Delray Beach, Florida. Her remains were discovered on July 21, 2023, after a 911 call reported a suspicious item in the Intracoastal Waterway. The initial discovery included a suitcase floating in the water with a human foot protruding through the zipper, containing a set of human legs.
Later the same day, two more suitcases were found within a mile of the first, each containing different body parts: one had a human torso without hands or a head, weighted down with landscaping rocks, and the other contained a pelvis along with a Cheesecake Factory bag filled with rocks.
Further investigation on July 22 led to the discovery of additional bags, including a tote bag containing the victim's head with a single gunshot wound behind her ear. The medical examiner confirmed that the cause of death was this gunshot wound. The body parts were identified through dental records as belonging to Aydil Barbosa Fontes.
The suspect in the murder is William Lowe, 78, the husband of the victim. Lowe was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and improper dismemberment of a human body. Surveillance footage showed Lowe climbing down a dock ladder near the waterway, carrying a Cheesecake Factory bag that appeared to be weighted, on July 20. His vehicle, a gold Ford Taurus, was traced through its tag number, linking it to his residence just 0.1 miles from where one of the suitcases was recovered.
During the investigation, police found a 9mm handgun in the desk drawer of Lowe's home and a chainsaw in his storage unit, which had blood, bone matter, flesh, and hair on it. Blood splatter was also found inside the couple's apartment. When questioned, Lowe claimed his wife was in Brazil, but he could not provide details on how she got there or when he last spoke to her.
Lowe appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. He is currently being held in Palm Beach County Jail without bond. The motive behind the murder is still under investigation by the police.
Neighbors reported seeing Lowe near the docks around the time the suitcases were placed in the water, and one neighbor mentioned hearing unusual activity from Lowe's apartment, including the apartment door opening and closing early in the morning. Despite the couple being married for about 15 years, police had never been called to their apartment before this incident.
