A Florida deputy killing over a TV turned deadly Monday after authorities say Deputy Troy Savetz waited outside his former girlfriend’s home, confronted her with a gun and later died alongside her after a vehicle search in Pasco County. The case has stunned the region because the man once praised for heroism and compassion was identified by the sheriff as the person who committed the crime.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Savetz, 47, was angry about wanting his television back when he stopped Mandy Fackler outside her home as she returned from the beach with her two children around 5:30 p.m. Gualtieri said the relationship between Savetz and Fackler had been “on-again-off-again” and tumultuous. When Fackler tried to call 911, Savetz took her phone, according to the sheriff. She then told her children to go inside, and they obeyed. The children were later described by officials as extremely brave for calling 911 themselves and giving dispatchers information that helped identify the suspect.
Authorities said the children’s quick actions set off an immediate search. When officers arrived at the house, they found Fackler’s vehicle with the door open and her phone nearby. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said deputies then used K-9 teams, drones and aviation units to track the vehicle Savetz was driving after carrying Fackler away. Roughly 90 minutes after the confrontation began, officers found the vehicle in nearby Spring Hill. A drone showed two people inside before deputies approached on foot and discovered Savetz and Fackler dead. Nocco said investigators were not certain when or at what point Savetz killed her and then himself.
Fackler’s friends identified her and said she leaves behind two children, ages 12 and 9. Nocco said the children were unharmed and are now with their biological father. He told reporters they should have been getting ready for school instead of facing life without their mother. He also praised the children’s calm response, saying their call to 911 gave officers the information they needed for the fastest possible response. Officials said the children followed their mother’s instruction to go inside and save their lives.
