Doorbell cameras captured a fiery car explosion in Florida earlier this month that authorities believe was intentionally caused by a man who’d been trying to kill his wife.
Noel Ruiz Mestre is facing murder and arson charges in connection with the blast in the Miami suburb of Hialeah Gardens early the morning of Feb. 1.
In footage obtained by NBC 6, a vehicle can be seen parked near Northwest 114th Terrace and 88th Court when it suddenly erupts and becomes consumed by flames and smoke. Police now believe Mestre intentionally caused the blast in a bid to kill his wife, detonating a homemade bomb from outside the vehicle while she was still in it.
The woman did not survive the explosion. Investigators said they found her remains in the passenger seat, and that she was burned beyond recognition. Her name has not been released.
According to the arrest report, Ruiz and his wife entered the car shortly before the blast, which occurred around 6 a.m. Witnesses said the couple started to drive away from their home, but then stopped suddenly and began to argue.
Police said Ruiz eventually exited the vehicle and then detonated the bomb he’d set up prior. He then went back inside his home, where he swapped his singed clothes for fresh ones, and then allegedly used a knife to stab himself in the stomach.
The suspect eventually called 911 for help, according to the documents. He remained hospitalized as of Thursday and will be jailed upon his release.
