FROSTPROOF, Fla. — A University of Florida pre-med student is behind bars tonight after officials say he stabbed his mother to death in her home.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), Emmanuel Espinoza, 21, was driving to his mother's home in Frostproof from Gainesville for a family event. He arrived around 2 p.m. on Saturday.
When his mother, Elvia Espinoza, opened the front door, deputies say Emmanuel stabbed her multiple times. Elvia attempted to run, but Emmanuel reportedly continued to attack her until she fell over and died.
Sheriff Grady Judd said Emmanuel called 911 immediately after the stabbing and confessed to his mother's murder.
He told officials he had been wanting to kill his mother for several years "because she got on my nerves," and decided to kill her while he was driving that afternoon.
Sheriff Judd also said Emmanuel told officials he loved his mother and had a good relationship with her.
Elvia, 46, was a second-grade teacher at Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary in Frostproof and previously worked as a secretary at Frostproof Middle-Senior. Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) said grief counselors will be on campus at both schools Monday.
"Her students and colleagues greatly loved her, and her sudden, unexpected death is a devastating loss. She was a very special part of her school family," PCPS said in a statement. "The school has made personal calls to the parents of students who were attending Ms. Espinoza’s classroom to make them aware of this tragic loss."
Emmanuel was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with first-degree murder.