Mother of two and Deputy Troy Savetz found dead in Spring Hill rental car, Florida sheriffs say
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the woman's children, ages 9 and 12, called 911 on Monday, Aug. 10, after their mother told them to go inside and save their lives.
By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 11, 2026, 8:18 a.m. ETWritten Aug 19, 2026, 6:35 p.m. ET
A mother of two and Deputy were found dead inside a rental car in Spring Hill, , on the evening of Monday, Aug. 10, police said. The woman and her two children, ages 9 and 12, had just returned from the beach to the woman's home in , , when Savetz was waiting in the front yard, according to authorities. Her name is not included in the available account.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the children called for help. "We listened to that 911 tape and we know that your mother said to go inside, save your lives and call 911," Nocco said, addressing the two children. "Your mom is looking down from heaven, and she is so proud of you… You two did the right thing, you did exactly what your mom wanted you to do." He added: "Those two children should be starting off this week getting ready for school" — "But what they’re getting ready for instead is a sad life without their mother."
Police rushed to the woman's home at around 5:30 p.m., but she and Savetz were already gone, according to police. At around 7 p.m., police tracked the rental car to Platinum Drive in Spring Hill, about 6 miles from the woman's home, and found Savetz and the woman dead inside. The two were found dead from gunshot wounds. Officials said Savetz was known by police to be armed; no weapon type was specified. Authorities said Savetz .
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who identified the deputy as , spoke at a joint press conference with Nocco on Monday night. "The moment this individual committed a crime he was no longer a law enforcement officer. He was a criminal," Gualtieri said. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office both responded.
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