Tony Villegas, a South Florida man, was accused and found guilty of murdering Melissa Lewis, a top Fort Lauderdale attorney at the now-dissolved Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm in March 2008. In 1994, Tony became a member of the United States Chaplains Association and was Ordained a Minister of the Gospel by Crusade of Hope Ministries. She also spoke after the verdict. In the same month, Tony was sentenced to life in prison. Ways to honor TONY VILLEGAS's life and legacy. Lewis even helped her friend Coffey through her own embittered divorce. The name Tony Villegas has over 45 birth records, 4 death records, 25 criminal/court . Tony Villegas Killed Melissa Lewis, Threw Body In Florida Canal | Crime So, if youre curious about what happened to Melissa, weve got you covered. Antonio Jose Villegas Obituary Tony was still sharp; an avid follower of national politics and financial markets. So her disappearance was really unusual.. (Rafael Olmeda, Dylan Bouscher/South . Albert C. Villegas Obituary Her car was later tracked to a location not far from her home, but she remained missing. Coffey was open with officers, explaining she was going through a rough divorce with Tony Villegas. Her success and busy work did not keep her from her family, especially her nieces, whom she was very close to. When finished, he travelled back home but had the ultimate goal of immigrating to the US full time. The investigators started to question everyone involved in Melissas life. He was born in Los Angeles, California on July 12, 1954. But Lewis was never implicated. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. In the past, Tony has also been known as Tony C Villegas, Tony Jrj, Antonio Jrj Villegas, Antonio Jose Villegas and Antonio J Villegas. The track of the cell phone is mirroring where Tony Villegas would be. Tony Villegas is serving a life sentence at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City, Florida. "Instead of thinking about Melissa, thinking about this day, when is it going to come, it has come and gone now so now when we think about Melissa we can think about Melissa," she said. A motive for her slaying was hard to come by initially. Then, a legal issue that her firm was embroiled in only added to the chaos. Melissa Lewis's Dog Had Been Pepper-Sprayed, Melissa Lewis and Her Ex-Husband Got Divorced After a Few Years of Marriage, Investigators Seek Help to Arrest Tony Villegas. The DNA found on Lewis' suit jacket was further matched to Tony Villegas. Eight years after he strangled Lewis to death on the floor of her garage and dumped her in the canal, Villegas was found guilty of first-degree murder. Debras son, Caleb, later testified that his father didnt like that. Debra was estranged from her husband, Tony Villegas, at the time. Melissa was a very high-energy, motivated person, Coffey told Buried in The Backyard, airing Thursdays at 8/7c on Oxygen. Obituary. Tony Villegas was convicted of first-degree murder in the death. Thank You. Be the first one to comment on this story. The Sun Sentinel reported that Tony Villegas was sentenced . Nogales Obituaries - Latest Obituaries in Nogales, AZ - Echovita He spoke Tagalog and Illocono. Leave condolences in the Guest Book, send sympathy flowers, and pay respect to your loved one. A jury found Tony Villegas guilty of first-degree murder of his ex-wifes best friend, Melissa Lewis, in March 2008, after deliberating for less than two hours. Tate said Villegas grew jealous of Lewis closeness to his estranged wife and children until he lost control, waiting for Lewis to come home from work on March 5, 2008 and strangling her to death with his bare hands. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He stated that Tony blamed Melissa for his separation, adding, At one point, he told me that he felt Melissa and my mom were scheming, and they were getting a divorce around the same time so they could hang out. The investigators arrested Tony a week after the murder. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Now go rest easy, well take it from here. Eleazar (Tony) Herrea, son of Maria Villegas Ramirez and Ramon Herrera Amaro, was born in Paredones Baja Califonia, Mexico, on August 23rd 1957 as the youngest child in a large family. Lewis aunt, Lynn Haberl, read a statement on behalf of the family shortly after the verdict was read. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. He is survived by: his Sister Ofelia Bautista (Ben) of North Bellmore, NY; nephews Benedict and Reginald Bautista (Aurora, CO), and niece Ryna Bautista (N. Bellmore); Daughter Mary Ellen Villegas Rudel (Theodore), Morristown, NJ and Lake George, NY; Son Ray Villegas and wife Megan Slate Villegas, Clermont; Grandchildren Holly Rudel, New Haven CT; Christopher Rudel, Alpharetta, GA; Grace Villegas, and Alexander Villegas, Clermont. Usually in those robbery [or] carjacking scenarios, the bodys not missing, said Kendall. FORT LAUDERDALE A South Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for strangling his estranged wife's friend. Investigation Discoverys Six Degrees of Murder: Going Places delves into this very case. Detectives looked into him but discovered Godinez had since been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was not physically capable of carrying out the abduction and murder. Her co-workers were worried and looked for her. that is degrading to another person. TONY VILLEGAS OBITUARY Villegas, Tony J., 88, returned to the Lord and his wife, Rosalie, peacefully on November 24, 2013. Afterward, Haberl embraced Villegas sister. And its a guilt I guess I live with forever.. They found the car within walking distance of Lewis' home, but there was no sign of the missing woman. Rothstein's right-hand woman to be released from prison Because the phone stopped for the night in Hialeah, authorities believed the killer did, too. Here Arnold followed his heart and went to work for Tylers Taste of Texas which lead to an opportunity to open his own restaurant, Arnies Caf. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. The name Tony Villegas has over 45 birth records, 4 death records, 25 criminal/court records, 153 address records, 11 phone records & more. Candle. Tony met and married Jeannie Blades in Long Beach, Calif. when he was stationed there. He then went on to attended College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, CA during which time he married Sue Ebersole. Arnold Villegas unexpectedly passed away due to heart complications on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, AZ. And I remember my sister telling me that Debras husband, Tony, had threatened to set Debra on fire in front of her children. Tony and Jeannie bought The Dock restaurant in Big River Park, and the restaurant became popular with locals as well as seasonal visitors, especially "Oriental Night.". Prosecutors postulated he blamed Lewis for Coffey's decision to leave him. Arnold was the youngest of their three boys, Conrad (Tony) and Ernie. That kind of murder would have taken time, Tate said. While back in the Philippines in 1962, Tony met Ditas Danao on a blind date set up through mutual friends. Melissa's car was missing. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. He was very happy to be embraced as "Dad" by Jeannie's five adventurous children. Who Receive obituaries Renato De Leon Quinto Failing to get an exact location for the phone, they turned back to Homberg and Coffey to glean information about anyone Lewis could have known in Hialeah. Tony stood trial in 2016 after initially being ruled incompetent in 2010. Thomas Villegas Obituary - Downey, CA Tony & Ditas married on February 14, 1963 in Manila. Debra Villegas, who has been released following a federal prison term for her role in the Ponzi scheme, took the stand during the trial. Tony's hard working nature remained steadfast as he provided for his family. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. She also revealed that Villegas worked as a train conductor on the same direct path where Lewis' phone moved into Palm Beach County the morning after the murder. Scott Rothstein is serving 50 years for racketeering, money laundering, and mail and wire fraud. Mr. Sources state that Tony Villegas is currently serving time at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City, Florida. Could somebody have followed her in to commit a home burglary? Add to your memory. Coffey was implicated in that scheme and served less than half of a 10-year federal prison term. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Albert C. Villegas <p>Albert "Peanut" Calderon Villegas, 54, of Odessa Texas passed away on July 16, 2021 in Odessa, Texas. "Mr. Rothstein was fraternal order of police counsel for the Plantation Police Department, he represented them personally and there are other shall we say Rothstein tentacles connected to this case that we were not permitted to go into," he said. Pointing to Tony Villegas, prosecutor Shari Tate said: Villegas was sentenced to life in prison and remains behind bars at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City, Florida. 0:02. Grandchildren: Michael, Brandon, and Tommy Grandchildren: Kobe and Kayli, Great-Granddaughter: Dawson Grandchildren: Trace and Macy Children: Terri Jean, Sara, Tony, Carolann (Sonny) and Ernie (Christine), Children: Steve (Ali), Brian (Candace) and Tim (Tiffany). Three sisters, Linda Ochoa, Diane Gonzales and Elizabeth Marquez, a host of nieces, nephews, friends and many Christian children.To send flowers to the family of Antonio Jose Villegas Jr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. Like our page to stay informed about passing of a loved one in Las Vegas, Nevada on facebook. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Villegas, 52, was arrested in 2008 and charged with the death of Lewis, the best friend of Villegas now ex-wife Debra, who was the COO of the now defunct law firm. Another Mass and celebration will be held near their final resting place in Pottstown, PA in 2023. That set off alarm bells.. Your work is done here Arnie, youve done your part in making this a better world. He worked in the Oilfield in Midland/Odessa until he made his way to Las Vegas, Nevada in the new . While we are very sad to lose our Dad and Poppie, we take comfort knowing he is back in Moms arms where they dance again to the tunes of Frank Sinatra and Perry Como in Heaven. No doubt, the two are together again. forever!. We love you! Pepper spray was all over the crime scene the garage of Lewis Plantation home. As a baby David had beautiful curly hair and possessed a smile that could light up a Anthony Villegas, 88 of Moreno Valley, California Passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2011, at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California. She always wanted to be a lawyer, and her dream came true after university. He was born in Los Angeles on September 17, 1952 to Parents, Conrado Humberto and Nena Villegas. A tearful Coffey said that she lives in regret. Villegas was declared incompetent to stand trial in 2010 and avoided a trial until he was cleared by the state. Search Delano obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. An autopsy revealed that she was manually strangled to death. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. She would donate things for women in distress.. Truly he was heartbroken. Another Mass and celebration will be held near their final resting place in Pottstown, PA in 2023. He retired after 22 years of service as an E-7 Chief Machinist's Mate. FRANK VILLEGAS Obituary (2010) - Las Cruces, NM - Las Cruces Sun-News He sponsored the Yuma Scorpions, befriended Mike Marshall from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and hosted classic car gatherings such as the Show and Shine. His journey to become a doctor led him to the United States, where he completed residencies in Princeton NJ, Springfield, MA, and Northampton, MA. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Both Debra and her children stated that he was abusive. He was the 2nd eldest of 8 . It might be motive for Rothstein or Coffey to eliminate her, if so. The waterways run through the backyards of Floridian homes, not far from where Melissa Lewis lived.The 39-year-old lawyer relocated to the Sunshine State when a job opportunity presented itself at the prestigious Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm, where her best friend, Debra Coffey, worked. person will not be tolerated. Salvador Villegas was born September 18, 1933 in Fort Stockton, Texas and raised by his adopted parents Silvestre and Santos Villegas of McCamey,Texas. Salvador Olivas Villegas Obituary - tributearchive.com Las Vegas Obituaries - Latest Obituaries in Las Vegas, NV - Echovita Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. A pathology internship led them to Ottawa, Canada where they started their family with the birth of two daughters. A South Florida man accused of killing a former law partner of notorious Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein was found guilty Monday. Billie Joan Villegas Obituary He is survived by his sons, Jerry Tony Villegas and Felix James Villegas. Mass was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parker. The defense didnt provide an alternative motive for the murder but stressed reasonable doubt. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Arnold Villegas unexpectedly passed away due to heart complications on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, AZ.

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