Volusia Deputies Search DeBary Yard in Ramos Gaminde Murder Case

Florida authorities are searching the DeBary property of a man indicted this week in his wife's 2024 disappearance, an investigation that moved from digital records to the Philippines and now to concrete behind the couple's house.

A Volusia County grand jury returned a first-degree murder indictment against Epifanio IX Ramos Gaminde in the disappearance of Maria Gaminde. Her family has had no confirmed contact with her since January 2024, and her body has not been found. On Tuesday, investigators searched the couple's property after a neighbor reported that Gaminde had done extensive work behind the home around the time his wife vanished. Searchers concentrated on an area behind the house where concrete appeared to have been added. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at a news conference that he could not say whether the search would turn up remains: "We may get lucky, we may not get lucky."

Maria Gaminde was reported missing in January 2024. By July of that year, relatives told investigators that text messages, emails and credit-card activity arriving from overseas under her name did not appear genuine. Gaminde told investigators the couple had marital problems and that his wife had left for the Philippines or Japan. Detectives reviewed digital and forensic evidence and interviewed neighbors, and their focus shifted to him. Chitwood said investigators also learned Gaminde had been arrested twice previously on domestic violence charges.

The case reached the Philippines, where the FBI assisted local investigators and prosecutors with international legal matters. A detective and a prosecutor traveled there to interview Gaminde's niece, and Chitwood said of that interview, "She gives up everything." According to the sheriff, Gaminde emailed the niece Maria's driver's license, credit cards and other important documents, then instructed her how to use them. Investigators believe the arrangement was meant to make it appear that Maria was alive and avoiding her family, friends and law enforcement.

Investigators traced Maria's last known activity to December 2023. Her children visited Magic Kingdom at Disney World on Dec. 16, confirmed by fingerprints used to enter the park. Four days later, Gaminde allegedly texted his wife to ask where she was. Communications attributed to her then stopped, while messages purporting to be from her began arriving from overseas. Investigators found no evidence she remained alive. "There's no financial trail," Chitwood said.

State Attorney R.J. Larizza of Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit said the search result would not change the prosecution plan. "We're fully prepared to move forward without the body," he said, adding that he has complete confidence in the state's ability to prosecute the case.

Gaminde was taken into custody after being stopped for allegedly driving without a license, and the grand jury returned the indictment while he was held. He is held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail and also faces an immigration detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Chitwood said Gaminde has been interviewed repeatedly and that investigators do not accept his accounts: "Every interview he has given us has just been a lie."

The couple came to the United States together around 2008 and have three young sons, who were with their father when he was taken into custody. The boys have since been reunited with Maria's family. Chitwood said Gaminde had been denied contact with his wife's side of the family. The investigation is ongoing.