Felonious Florida: The Altidor Massacre – Episode 4: Time of Death
Introduction
In Episode 4 of Felonious Florida: The Altidor Massacre, host David Shoots delves deep into the chilling quadruple homicide that shook Miramar, Florida, in 1997. This episode meticulously reconstructs the timeline of the murders, scrutinizes the evidence pointing towards George Altidore, and explores the inconsistencies in his alibi that have kept the case unsolved for nearly three decades. Through interviews, forensic analysis, and expert commentary, this episode unravels the complexities surrounding the Altidor family massacre.
Witness Testimony and Timeline Reconstruction
The episode opens with an interview between Detective Ron Paluzzo and Ann Elizabeth Tobias Johnston, a Jehovah's Witness who visited the Altidor home on the morning of April 30, 1997. Ann's testimony is pivotal in establishing the timeline of the murders.
"We go from door to door encouraging people to read the Bible." [02:22]
Ann recounts her visit to 8801 South Crescent Drive at 9:30 AM, where she and her partner found the house seemingly empty with no car in the driveway. Importantly, no one answered the door despite multiple knocks, raising suspicions about the family's whereabouts at that time.
Detective Paluzzo highlights the significance of this testimony in narrowing down the time of death:
"I'm now pretty certain that when Ann Johnston knocked on that door, Marie and her family were already dead inside." [03:08]
Crime Scene Details and Forensic Evidence
David Shoots outlines the initial findings at the crime scene, emphasizing the mysterious state of the kitchen and the victims' last activities.
The victims—Teresia, Marie, and their two young daughters, Samantha and Sabrina—were found in disarray. Teresia was discovered standing in front of the stove with three pots containing what appeared to be breakfast items. However, the messy pots contradicted the family's usual routine of maintaining a clean kitchen.
"Theresia was preparing breakfast, but there's something perplexing about the food and the scene." [06:17]
Autopsy reports revealed that Teresia, Marie, and Samantha had not eaten for at least four to five hours before their deaths, while Sabrina had been fed shortly before she was killed. This evidence supports the theory that the murders occurred long after dinner and before breakfast was prepared, placing the time of death between 7 AM and 9:30 AM.
George Altidore's Alibi and Inconsistencies
George Altidore, the primary suspect, presented an alibi that Detective Paluzzo found increasingly untenable. George claimed to have been fixing his friend Florence Daudin's air conditioner on the evening of the murders, returning home around 8:30 PM after a basketball game.
"When you came into the house... they were right there watching the game." [17:42]
However, discrepancies arose when George described the morning routine. He stated that he prepared his lunch using leftovers from the previous night’s dinner, which clashed with the messy pots found on the stove the next day. Additionally, George admitted to having sex with his wife, despite medical advice to abstain postpartum, contradicting his attorney’s prior statements.
"I had sex with my wife either the previous night or that morning before she was murdered." [23:58]
Further suspicion was cast when Detective Paluzzo discovered that the family's Lexus was inoperable due to a missing electrical relay module—the very component George provided to the police, suggesting his involvement in disabling the car.
"So he must have taken it out." [29:42]
Polygraph Test and Suspect Status
As the investigation progressed, George submitted to a polygraph examination. The results were telling:
"George Altidore was deceptive in his answers to those three questions." [33:22]
He lied when asked if he was the murderer, knew who the murderer was, and if he had ever considered hurting a family member. These deceptive responses further solidified George's position as the prime suspect in the eyes of the investigators.
Funeral Events and Public Reaction
The community's grief was palpable during the funerals of Marie, Samantha, Sabrina, and later Teresia in Haiti. George attended the funerals, appearing secluded and distant, which raised additional eyebrows.
"People were lined up outside... can we grieve in peace because there were so many people there." [34:12]
Alain Laverne, Marie's brother, delivered a heartfelt eulogy emphasizing divine justice:
"God knows all, God sees all. He brings all things to justice." [35:31]
Ongoing Investigation and Future Directions
Despite the mounting evidence against George, the case remained unsolved for years. It wasn’t until cold case detectives revisited the investigation that new leads began to surface, including the mysterious disappearance of two puppies from the Altidor household, initially overlooked details that could have provided crucial insights.
Detective Paluzzo reflects on the challenges of determining a precise time of death:
"Determining a time of death isn't as easy as it looks in movies and TV shows." [30:39]
The episode concludes with George ceasing all cooperation with investigators following his negative polygraph results and legal counsel advisement, leaving the case in prolonged limbo.
Conclusion
Episode 4 of Felonious Florida: The Altidor Massacre offers a comprehensive examination of the evidence and testimonies that have long implicated George Altidore in the brutal murders of his family. By meticulously piecing together witness accounts, forensic data, and investigative findings, the episode paints a compelling narrative that underscores the complexities of solving such a deeply personal and enigmatic crime. As Season 5 approaches, listeners are left eager to uncover whether new advancements will finally bring justice to the Altidor family.
Notable Quotes
- "We go from door to door encouraging people to read the Bible." – Ann Johnston [02:22]
- "I'm now pretty certain that when Ann Johnston knocked on that door, Marie and her family were already dead inside." – Detective Ron Paluzzo [03:08]
- "Theresia was preparing breakfast, but there's something perplexing about the food and the scene." – David Shoots [06:17]
- "I had sex with my wife either the previous night or that morning before she was murdered." – George Altidore [23:58]
- "George Altidore was deceptive in his answers to those three questions." – David Shoots [33:22]
Upcoming Episode
Stay tuned for the next installment of Felonious Florida: The Altidor Massacre, where Detective Paluzzo continues his relentless pursuit of the truth behind the unsolved murders, uncovering new evidence and overlooked details that could be the key to finally resolving this decades-old case.