Deltona Woman, Ashley Vaia, Fatally Shot by Ex-Husband, Samuel Vaia, in Domestic Violence Incident; Suspect Dies After Crash in Flagler County
DELTONA, FL – In a heartbreaking and tragic turn of events, 38-year-old Ashley Vaia was fatally shot by her ex-husband, 33-year-old Samuel Vaia, in a domestic violence incident early Monday morning. The fatal shooting occurred in Ashley’s Deltona home, where she was discovered lifeless by her child. Following the deadly confrontation, Samuel Vaia fled the scene, leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit that ultimately ended with a crash in Flagler County. After the crash, Samuel Vaia took his own life, leaving behind a legacy of pain for his ex-wife’s family, their children, and the community at large.
The sequence of events unfolded early Monday morning, as Ashley’s child made the tragic discovery at approximately 2:22 a.m., finding their mother’s body inside the family home. Authorities were quickly notified and responded to the scene. Ashley was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, and the investigation immediately pointed to her ex-husband, Samuel Vaia, as the prime suspect.
Law enforcement quickly began a search for Samuel, who had fled the scene in a white SUV. His vehicle was tracked by authorities using vehicle detection technology, as he sped northbound on I-95, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph in an apparent attempt to evade capture. The pursuit involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and officers from neighboring Flagler County.
During the chase, law enforcement deployed stop sticks to disable the vehicle, which eventually forced Samuel Vaia to lose control of the SUV. At around 3:21 a.m., the suspect crashed near Palm Harbor Parkway and Hammock Dunes Parkway in Palm Coast. Given the severity of the situation and the possibility that Samuel Vaia was armed and dangerous, officers took great care in approaching the wrecked vehicle. It was reported that he was wearing body armor at the time of the crash.
Law Enforcement’s Response and Samuel Vaia’s Final Actions
The Flagler County SWAT team was dispatched to handle the delicate situation. Drones were used to conduct surveillance and assess the situation from a safe distance. At approximately 5:15 a.m., SWAT officers extricated Samuel Vaia from the vehicle, discovering that he had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Despite being transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital, the suspect was later pronounced dead from his injuries.
Background of Domestic Violence and Prior Arrests
The fatal shooting of Ashley Vaia comes less than a week after Samuel Vaia had been arrested on domestic violence charges related to an altercation with Ashley on Sunday, March 23, 2025. That evening, Ashley reported to deputies that Samuel had entered her bedroom, taken her phone, and accused her of infidelity. The couple, who had been attempting to reconcile, had a shared custody arrangement involving their child. Samuel still had a key to the house.
During this altercation, Ashley said that Samuel pushed her into a bathroom, covered her mouth, and prevented her from calling 911. She was able to break free when she called for her daughter, at which point Samuel fled the scene. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office arrested Samuel Vaia and booked him into the Volusia County Branch Jail on charges of domestic violence battery. He was later released on a $2,000 bond.
Community and Family Reactions
The tragic nature of this event has shaken not only the immediate family of Ashley Vaia but also the wider community. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed his deep condolences to Ashley’s family and friends, acknowledging the difficult reality of losing a loved one to senseless violence. “Our hearts go out to Ashley’s children, and all her family and friends who have to deal with losing her to such a senseless act of violence,” said Sheriff Chitwood. He also highlighted the dangerous escalation of domestic violence situations, which can rapidly turn into deadly encounters. “Time and time again, we see that domestic violence situations can escalate quickly and dangerously, with tragic consequences.”
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly echoed Sheriff Chitwood’s sentiments, expressing his gratitude for the swift actions of law enforcement officers involved in the pursuit and investigation. “I am thankful for the swift actions of our deputies in helping to prevent any further loss of life. This
