Husband arrested in wife's disappearance after family kept getting mystery texts

Florida Man Indicted for First‑Degree Murder After Sending Wife’s ID to Philippine Relative

Epifanio IX Ramos Gaminde, a Florida resident, has been formally charged with first‑degree murder in the disappearance of his wife, Maria Gaminde. The case, which has drawn attention from state authorities and the FBI, centers on allegations that Gaminde sent his wife’s personal documents and credit cards to a relative in the Philippines in an effort to create the illusion that she had fled abroad.

Missing since January 2024

Maria Gaminde’s family reported her missing in January 2024 after losing all contact with her. The last confirmed activity on her accounts dates to December 2023, when the couple and their children visited Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. No further evidence of her whereabouts has been found, and investigators have not located a body.

Alleged Deception

According to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Gaminde allegedly sent his wife’s driver’s license, credit cards, and other documents to a niece in the Philippines, directing her on how to use them. “The family starts to contact us and say, ‘Hey, something’s not right. These text messages and emails that we're getting, the spending on her credit cards, too. Something's not right,’” Chitwood told reporters. The documents were used to produce text messages, emails, and credit‑card transactions that appeared to originate from overseas, giving the false impression that Maria was alive and traveling.

Investigators traced the last online activity from Maria’s accounts to December 2023. Four days after that, Gaminde texted his wife asking where she was. Subsequent messages supposedly from Maria stopped, and the only communications that followed were those fabricated from abroad. Chitwood emphasized that “there’s no financial trail. There’s nothing that would indicate that Maria is alive.”

Search of the DeBary Property

On a Tuesday in late June, law enforcement conducted a search of the couple’s DeBary, Florida, home after a neighbor reported seeing Gaminde working extensively behind the house around the time Maria disappeared. The search focused on a concrete area behind the property where investigators suspected something might be hidden. Sheriff Chitwood stated, “We may get lucky, we may not get lucky,” noting that the search could, or could not, uncover Maria’s remains.

International Cooperation

The investigation expanded beyond Florida. The FBI assisted Volusia County investigators in navigating the international legal aspects, and a detective and prosecutor traveled to the Philippines to interview Gaminde’s niece. “She gives up everything,” Chitwood said of the niece, who provided additional information that helped the FBI recover digital evidence.

Prior Domestic Violence Arrests

Gaminde has faced two prior arrests for domestic violence. Sheriff Chitwood highlighted this history during the investigation, noting that the case has evolved from a missing‑person inquiry to a homicide investigation as evidence mounted.

Legal Proceedings

Gaminde was arrested on a charge of driving without a license, and the grand jury subsequently returned a first‑degree murder indictment. He is being held without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail and also faces an immigration detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

State Attorney R.J. Larizza of Florida’s 7th Judicial Circuit confirmed that prosecutors intend to proceed with the case regardless of whether Maria’s body is found. “We’re fully prepared to move forward without the body,” Larizza said. “And I have complete and total confidence in our ability to prosecute this case.”

Family Impact

Epifanio and Maria Gaminde immigrated to the United States together around 2008. They have three young sons, who were with their father when he was taken into custody. The children have since been reunited with Maria’s family, although they have been denied contact with their mother’s relatives.

“Every interview he has given us has just been a lie,” Sheriff Chitwood said of Gaminde’s repeated statements to investigators.

Current Status

The investigation remains active. Law enforcement officials continue to examine digital and forensic evidence, interview neighbors, and work with international partners to trace any remaining leads. While the search of the property yielded no definitive evidence of Maria’s fate, prosecutors remain ready to pursue the murder charge without the recovery of a body.