Marion County, Florida (August 27, 2017)- Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes
detectives have released additional information this morning in reference to the suspicious death investigations conducted on Saturday, August 26, 2017, in Weirsdale. At 9:38 a.m., Saturday morning, MCSO deputies received a call for service in reference to two unresponsive individuals in a car in the parking lot of the Dollar General Store located at 13842 SE Highway 42. When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered victims Stephanie Gonzalez (DOB: 03/23/1978) and Jeffery Durden (DOB: 05/07/1973) deceased in a maroon SUV parked towards the rear-side of the business. Both victims suffered from gunshot wounds. On Sunday morning, the Medical Examiner ruled both of their cause of deaths as by homicide. Detectives also determined through their preliminary investigation that Stephanie Gonzalez and Durden were in a relationship.
During the investigation, Major Crimes detectives made contact with Stephanie Gonzalez’s
husband, Joseph Gonzalez (DOB: 03/30/1966), in the rear parking lot of the Burger King located off of SE Maricamp Road and SE 36th Avenue, at which time Joseph Gonzalez shot himself. He was immediately provided medical attention by detectives and was rushed to Ocala Regional Medical Center where he later passed away from his injuries. The Medical Examiner ruled Joseph Gonzalez’s cause of death as a suicide. The investigation is still on-going.
Lauren Lettelier
Public Information Officer
Office: (352) 368-3594
Cell: (352) 843-4205
