William Davis III
Photo: Florida Dept of Corrections
Photo: Florida Dept of Corrections
by Alan McBride
SANFORD, FLA. An Orange County man who was charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a woman from a Longwood-area used car lot confessed to the crime, according to law enforcement officers.
That means William Davis III now faces first-degree murder charges, along with the kidnapping charges on which he is currently jailed in Seminole County, officials said.
The incident, according to statements from the arrest affidavit for Davis, took place after he had purchased an SUV at the dealership, and had become frustrated that he was unable to get a title for the vehicle when he returned to the establishment.
Davis, 31, reportedly told investigators that he kidnapped Fabiana Malave, 19, at knifepoint, forced the woman to drive him to his car, then drove her to his home.
Davis said he then raped the woman and strangled her, according to an arrest affidavit.
Authorities said Davis wrapped Malave's body in a blanket, put it in the back of his car, and attempted to drive back to the parking area behind a tavern, where Malave's car had been parked.
Police said Davis was seen driving past the used car lot by employees, who were able to help a visiting deputy track down Davis' car and block it in the parking area until back-up arrived.
Authorities said they discovered Malave's body in Davis' SUV after he had been handcuffed.
Seminole County deputies said they were waiting on the results of forensic testing to verify Davis' claims that he had raped the woman.
Davis, according to Florida records, has a history that includes allegations of rape and physical violence.
The first case in Florida involved allegations that he raped an ex-girlfriend in 2003, according to records with the State Attorney's Office. Authorities said the woman, 22, did not want to prosecute. Records show he attacked the woman again, six months later.
Davis was eventually sentenced to five years in prison, Corrections records show, and had been released Sept. 30, 2008, after serving the minimum sentence required by state law.
SANFORD, FLA. An Orange County man who was charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a woman from a Longwood-area used car lot confessed to the crime, according to law enforcement officers.
That means William Davis III now faces first-degree murder charges, along with the kidnapping charges on which he is currently jailed in Seminole County, officials said.
The incident, according to statements from the arrest affidavit for Davis, took place after he had purchased an SUV at the dealership, and had become frustrated that he was unable to get a title for the vehicle when he returned to the establishment.
Davis, 31, reportedly told investigators that he kidnapped Fabiana Malave, 19, at knifepoint, forced the woman to drive him to his car, then drove her to his home.
Davis said he then raped the woman and strangled her, according to an arrest affidavit.
Authorities said Davis wrapped Malave's body in a blanket, put it in the back of his car, and attempted to drive back to the parking area behind a tavern, where Malave's car had been parked.
Police said Davis was seen driving past the used car lot by employees, who were able to help a visiting deputy track down Davis' car and block it in the parking area until back-up arrived.
Authorities said they discovered Malave's body in Davis' SUV after he had been handcuffed.
Seminole County deputies said they were waiting on the results of forensic testing to verify Davis' claims that he had raped the woman.
Davis, according to Florida records, has a history that includes allegations of rape and physical violence.
The first case in Florida involved allegations that he raped an ex-girlfriend in 2003, according to records with the State Attorney's Office. Authorities said the woman, 22, did not want to prosecute. Records show he attacked the woman again, six months later.
Davis was eventually sentenced to five years in prison, Corrections records show, and had been released Sept. 30, 2008, after serving the minimum sentence required by state law.
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