Paula Portillo, a 59-year-old Hispanic woman, was killed on September 4, 2017, at her home on Mastic Lane in Tallahassee. She and her 19-year-old daughter, Rosario Sanchez, were found dead after an argument involving Malik Wade, the father of Sanchez’s toddler. Wade was arrested and charged with two counts of premeditated homicide, kidnapping, and child neglect.

Portillo tried to protect her daughter and was shot multiple times. Sanchez was shot in the chin and multiple other times, including in the back. Wade then forced both women from the bedroom to the living room, cleaned the scene, and ultimately shot Portillo while turning up the television so Sanchez would not hear. Wade later placed Sanchez’s body in the bathtub, used bleach, wrapped her in blankets, tucked her into bed, and left the house for more than 13 hours before fleeing to Donalsonville, Georgia, where he was apprehended and returned to Tallahassee.

Court records mentioned a prior concern about Wade’s mental health; his father reportedly sought a Baker Act commitment that a judge denied. The killings left the Tallahassee community grieving and raised questions about domestic violence and how warning signs are handled. Does anyone have information about Paula Portillo, her family, or the events that led up to that September day?