Christine Ruffin, 61, was found dead on March 14, 2021, in her son’s home in Palm City, Florida, after Martin County deputies went there for a welfare check. She had a fatal gunshot wound to the back of her head. Christine had been visiting from her home in upstate New York.

The primary suspect named in her killing was her son, Christopher Ruffin, 28. On the same day Christine’s body was discovered, Christopher was involved in a separate armed confrontation with Palm Bay police and Brevard County deputies after his girlfriend reported he had pointed a gun at her. He fled in a mint green Kia Soul and was later located in woods near Babcock Street in Palm Bay, where he was fatally shot after failing to comply with officers’ orders. A .40-caliber gun was recovered at the scene; it was not confirmed whether any shots had been fired by Christopher during the standoff. Four Palm Bay officers and one deputy were placed on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the officer-involved shooting.

Detectives from Martin County continued to investigate Christine Ruffin’s murder and to reconstruct the events that led to her death. If anyone knew Christine, her movements in Palm City, or saw the mint green Kia Soul that day, please share information with investigators.