Rogelio Prestol, 46, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 40-year-old wife, Jhesandra Prestol, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said.
Around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Prestol called 911 and told police he had just killed his wife. When deputies arrived at the home on Holtville Avenue in Port Charlotte, they found Jhesandra lying face down outside with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. .. Continue reading here ▶
Two children were inside the home and witnessed the shooting, but they were not physically hurt. One of the kids told police his ears were ringing because he was so close when his father fired the gun.
According to investigators, Prestol said he suspected for months that his wife was having an affair. He claimed she had been talking to someone on TikTok and Telegram, and when he confronted her, she asked for a divorce.
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On the day of the shooting, Prestol told police he believed his wife was sending money to the person she had been talking to online. He demanded that she unlock her phone, but she refused. That’s when he pulled out a 9mm handgun and pointed it at her to scare her, according to police. One of their children begged Jhesandra to give in to the demand.
Instead, she tried to escape through a window in their home office. As she climbed out, Prestol allegedly started shooting at her.
She managed to get outside, but he followed her onto the front porch and kept shooting until he ran out of bullets, police said.
She was shot multiple times, including in her back, chest, arm, and buttocks. Prestol later admitted to police that he didn’t try to help her because he “knew she was dead.”
After the shooting, Prestol called his brother and said he planned to kill himself. His brother convinced him not to and told him to call 911, which he did. When speaking to police, Prestol said he believed he deserved the death penalty.
Police arrested Prestol and took him to the Charlotte County Jail, where he is being held without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
Neighbors Tyler and Cindi Starr told WFTX that the Prestol family had only moved into the neighborhood a few months ago.
“He seemed like a really nice guy,” Cindi Starr said. “I never got any feeling that he was capable of something like this.”
Tyler Starr said they didn’t hear gunshots but noticed flashing police lights outside.
“There were about 50 cops outside our door. We looked out and saw a line of police with shields, AR-15s, and shotguns heading toward our neighbor’s house,” he said.
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell called the killing a “despicable” act.
“There are no words to express how terrible this is or the impact it will have on so many lives,” he said in a statement. “The fact that children were in the home makes it even worse. My heart breaks for them and for everyone who knew Jhesandra.
Domestic violence is horrific, and I hope anyone experiencing it sees this and realizes the danger. You are not alone, and help is available. Please don’t wait until it’s too late.”
