Bradenton, Florida -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has posted a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to Andy Avalos arrest in connection with the deaths of three people. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Deputies have issued an arrest warrant for Avalos in the murders of his wife, Amber Avalos, 33, his neighbor Denise Potter, 46 and their church pastor James "Tripp" Battle, 31.
While deputies look for Avalos, his wife's family and six children mourn her death.
Amber's family speaks out about the couple's rocky relationship. "Amber was a good person, loved her kids loved her life loved God more than anything," says Deanna Frenier, Amber's sister.
Frenier says her sister leaned on him to get through her troubled marriage. She says, "He was messed up lately she was praying for him. They were high school sweethearts together since they were 16, six kids together who knew something like drugs wreck a family this bad."
A neighbor too scared to go on camera while Avalos is still at large tells 10 News Amber complained about Avalos' drinking. The neighbor says the two had separated and he was sleeping in their son's bedroom until he could raise the money to move out. The 33-year-old's family says she tried to get her husband help.
RELATED: Family wants suspect to surrender
Frenier says, "You want them to have help seek that help no help to be found not many options in Bradenton or Sarasota."
Frenier says her sister kept the details of their marriage private. "She prayed through this thought she'd keep the family together God fix this she thought to the end," says Deanna.
The end came on Thursday when deputies say Avalos killed his wife and a neighbor at their home, then shot and killed their church pastor. Avalos fled in his Chevrolet SUV that was found today at a Walmart in Bradenton.
An upholstery business owned by Andy Avalo's parents closed early Friday to privately grieve over this family tragedy.
"My aunt was one of the bravest persons and strongest person I know. Do anything to help anyone before help herself," says Alexandra Frenier, Amber's niece as she wiped away tears.
Frenier adds, "She was literally a giving soul the glue to our family now she's gone. We're praying he's found and justice is done."
The Avalos' children range from the age of 4 to 15 and they are with family. The sister says the three youngest kids do not know what's happened and the oldest are naturally taking the news very hard.
Anyone with information about Andy Avalos location is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS or the sheriff's office at 941-747-3011 Ext 2159.
