LARGO, FL – An alleged murder suspect in Largo, Florida, who reportedly assaulted his parents, killed his ex-girlfriend, and abducted his 8-year-old daughter, instigating a statewide AMBER Alert, is slated for his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, more information is emerging about the series of heinous crimes.
The perpetrator, Renato Muhaj, is allegedly responsible for attacking his parents with threats of violence involving a machete around 2:30 a.m. He apparently confiscated their cell phones to prevent them from calling for help. One victim escaped the situation and informed law enforcement, as per the arrest affidavit.
Largo law enforcement, informed of the assault, conducted a welfare check on Muhaj’s ex-girlfriend, Suela Saliaj, and his daughter. The affidavit states that officers discovered blood outside Saliaj’s residence, with a knife and brass knuckles covered in blood discarded nearby.
Police discovered Saliaj’s lifeless body on the bedroom floor; she had sustained a serious cut to her throat. The 8-year-old girl was not onsite, which triggered an AMBER Alert. Muhaj was later found with his daughter, unharmed.
The child reportedly described to the police harrowing scenes of Muhaj assaulting Saliaj with a knife and brass knuckles. She was fully aware that Saliaj had been killed and queried rashly, “Why would you do that?” Muhaj’s cold response, as per the affidavit, was “I really wanted her to die.”
Following the murderous act, Muhaj purportedly abducted the child from the scene. Muhaj’s rough handling resulted in the child suffering bruises and scrapes.
Muhaj now faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, as well as child abuse. Further charges include two counts of aggravated assault and tampering with a witness, in addition to four other criminal charges.
Shockingly, Saliaj’s family stated that Muhaj had never demonstrated violent tendencies in the past. Moreover, the Pinellas County court records do not shed light on any criminal charges against him.
The young victim is currently under the care of family members. Muhaj is expected to face court at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday.