Investigators said the longtime partners died in a domestic murder-suicide at their home Saturday evening.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Police have identified a woman and her longtime partner who died in a domestic murder-suicide at a Port St. Lucie home Saturday evening, as detectives continue reviewing evidence and await findings from the medical examiner.
Elizabeth Ortega, 50, was fatally shot by Ralph Varela Sr., 50, before Varela died by suicide, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department. Police said the two had lived together for years and shared the home with their adult son. Another local report, citing investigators, said the couple was separating.
Officers were sent to the 2000 block of Oxmoor Terrace at about 7:40 p.m. Saturday after several callers reported hearing gunfire and a possible domestic disturbance. Police said the couple’s older son had left the home at about 7:30 p.m. to pick up food from a restaurant shortly before the shooting began.
Investigators said Varela obtained an AR-style rifle and shot Ortega inside the residence. Ortega then ran from the home and tried to escape, police said. Surveillance video reviewed by detectives showed her reaching the front yard as Varela continued firing before she collapsed.
Officers found Ortega outside the home with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency crews airlifted her to a hospital, where she later died. Police said Varela returned inside the residence after the shooting.
Officers surrounded the home and called for Varela to come outside. Police later used a drone to look inside before entering the residence, according to a local news report based on information from investigators. Varela was found dead from what police described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police initially described the shooting as an isolated, domestic-related incident and said there was no known continuing danger to the public. A large police presence remained in the neighborhood Saturday night while detectives processed the scene, gathered evidence and interviewed people in the area.
Investigators said no argument or disturbance had been reported inside the home immediately before the gunfire. Authorities have not released additional information about what may have led to the shooting, and no motive beyond the domestic circumstances has been publicly established.
Detectives continued processing evidence as of Sunday and were awaiting the medical examiner’s report. The Police Department said the investigation remained active, and additional findings had not been released by Monday morning.
Author note: Last updated Aug. 3, 2026.