Podcast Summary
Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: Woman Charged With Killing Both Ex Husbands On Same Day!
Release Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Amy Robach and TJ Holmes
Overview
This episode delves into the shocking case of Susan Erica Avalon, a 51-year-old Florida woman accused of fatally shooting both her ex-husbands within hours on the same day. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes break down the events, discuss the investigation, and reflect on the tragic impact—especially on the children left behind. The hosts also examine the rarity of such a crime, possible motives, and the chilling details of Avalon's actions before and after the murders.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
[00:21] Unprecedented Nature of the Crime
- Both hosts are struck by the rarity and brazenness of the case:
- "I've never seen one like this... but to kill two people in one day and have them both be your ex-husbands, never seen that before." – Amy Robach [00:46]
- "I hadn't quite seen one like this." – TJ Holmes [00:21]
- Women are less likely to be spree killers, making the case even more unique.
[01:09] How the Killings Unfolded
- The attacks happened hours apart on December 17, in two Florida locations.
- Police responded to the first shooting around 3pm, where the victim (her first ex-husband) survived long enough to communicate with investigators.
- "Before he died, he was able to point investigators towards his ex wife. He wasn't even totally sure..." – Amy Robach [02:11]
- The victim thought the shooter was disguised as a food delivery driver—a disguise confirmed by surveillance footage provided by Avalon's own daughter.
- Avalon was seen at a Panera Bread stealing someone else’s order to use as a prop. – Amy Robach [02:58]
[04:06] The Investigation and a Self-Incriminating Remark
- Police tracked Avalon's car to her home, where they found her cleaning the interior with bleach and rags in broad daylight.
- "She just happened to be doing some car cleaning... with bleach and rags in her hands." – TJ Holmes [03:57], Amy Robach [04:06]
- When approached, Avalon responded infamously:
- "We want to speak to you about your ex-husband."
"Her response: 'Which one?'" – Amy Robach [04:40]
- "We want to speak to you about your ex-husband."
- This set off alarms for investigators, who then performed a welfare check on her second ex-husband and discovered him dead as well.
[05:00] Timeline & Estrangement
- The second ex-husband was killed first; Avalon then drove to kill her first ex-husband.
- The first ex-husband and Avalon had been divorced for 11 years, with a history of custody disputes.
- Highlights the passage of time and the sudden escalation to lethal violence.
[06:44] Motive: Passion and Money
- Police and the sheriff cite ongoing child custody battles and unpaid child support as central motives.
- "She had owed child support to at least one. And this is what the sheriff said that really stuck with me... 'Now five children are facing life without their fathers, and it seems as though they didn’t really have their mother in their life to begin with.'" – Amy Robach [07:43]
- Discussion about how divorce and custody disputes can be a pressure cooker, amplifying anger and desperation.
[09:32] Impact on the Children
- The horror of the situation is compounded by the fact that Avalon's 15-year-old daughter witnessed (“heard the gunfire”) and provided key details to the police.
- "To imagine that her 15 year old daughter was upstairs when she was posing as that food delivery driver..." – Amy Robach [09:32]
- Touches on potential estrangement: Daughter didn't recognize her mother's car, and neither did the ex-husband, hinting at broken family ties.
[12:14] The Boyfriend’s Perspective and More Motives
- Avalon's live-in boyfriend recounted a chilling exchange:
- "The day before... she made a very uncharacteristic remark... she said, 'I love you in case something happens to me.'" – Amy Robach [13:12]
- "[If you said that to me] What are you about to go do and who are you going to see?" – TJ Holmes [13:19]
- After committing the crimes, Avalon returned home and showered with her clothes (the same gray hoodie seen in surveillance footage) still on.
- "Why are you getting into the shower with your clothes on?" – Amy Robach [16:25]
[14:15] Child Support Debt – The "Straw"
- Avalon owed approximately $4,000 in unpaid child support with a $200 deadline looming, threatening her with loss of her driver's license.
- Hosts debate whether such a sum could truly justify or trigger such violence.
- "A story about a double murder can get sadder, but to think it was over possibly $200 is tough to stomach." – TJ Holmes [14:15]
[14:34] Legal Consequences
- Five children are now essentially orphaned.
- Avalon has only been charged with second-degree homicide for the first murder so far, but charges are expected to be upgraded to first-degree and to include the second murder as well.
- "She is going to be facing one, probably two first degree murder charges. And we know how Florida rolls. It is very likely she would then be facing the death penalty." – Amy Robach [15:15]
- The sheriff emphasized the calculated, premeditated nature of the crimes:
- "We believe this was premeditated. She knew exactly what she was doing. She came here solely to kill her ex-husbands, period. End of story." – (Sheriff, quoted by Amy Robach [15:52])
[17:25] Final Reflections and Unanswered Questions
- The boyfriend told police that Avalon never told him exactly what happened, though he suspected something was wrong.
- "He said she didn't explicitly tell me what happened." – TJ Holmes [17:34]
- The hosts conclude this is one of the most bizarre and tragic cases they've covered, promising to follow ongoing developments.
Notable Quotes
-
On the uniqueness of the case:
“But to kill two people in one day and have them both be your ex-husbands, never seen that before.”
— Amy Robach [00:46] -
On the daughter's involvement:
“Her own 15 year old daughter… gave police the description of what the shooter was wearing and the car she was driving.”
— Amy Robach [02:58] -
Avalon's self-incriminating remark:
"Her response: 'Which one?'"
— Amy Robach [04:40] -
On motive and tragedy:
“And now five children are facing life without their fathers and it seems as though they didn’t really have their mother in their life to begin with.”
— Amy Robach quoting the sheriff [07:43] -
On what the boyfriend remembered:
"She said, 'I love you in case something happens to me.'"
— Amy Robach [13:12] -
On the legal outlook:
"She is going to be facing one, probably two first degree murder charges. And we know how Florida rolls. It is very likely she would then be facing the death penalty."
— Amy Robach [15:15] -
Sheriff's statement:
"We believe this was premeditated. She knew exactly what she was doing. She came here solely to kill her ex-husbands, period. End of story."
— Amy Robach quoting sheriff [15:52]
Key Timestamps
- 00:21 – Introduction to the case
- 00:46 – 01:09 – Shock at case's rarity; timeline of killings
- 02:58 – Avalon’s food delivery disguise revealed
- 04:06 – 04:40 – Police encounter Avalon cleaning car; "Which one?" moment
- 07:43 – Motive: custody, passion, unpaid child support
- 09:32 – Daughter's role; family estrangement signs
- 13:12 – Boyfriend shares ominous warning before homicide
- 14:15 – Discussion of child support sums and possible triggers
- 14:34 – 16:03 – Legal repercussions; charges and likely death penalty
- 15:52 – Sheriff's definitive statement on premeditation
- 17:25 – 18:09 – Boyfriend’s observations, hosts' closing thoughts
Tone and Style
- The hosts keep a conversational, reflective, and at times incredulous tone, balanced by empathy for the victims—especially the children.
- They focus on facts, law enforcement statements, personal reactions, and tie the crime's elements to broader themes in family law and criminal justice.
This summary covers all vital content, notable quotes, and major segments, as discussed candidly by Amy and TJ. It is designed for listeners looking to grasp the key facts and emotional gravity of the episode without having to listen in full.