Carlos Yadiel Baez Nieves, a 25-year-old Florida man, was arrested for the murders of two women, Fatia Flowers and Nichole Daniels, who were found a month apart from each other at the same location. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest on Monday, stating that Baez Nieves is facing two counts of first-degree murder for targeting the women, whom authorities believe were perceived as “vulnerable.”
The first victim, Fatia Flowers, was discovered after deputies responded to a report of a nude woman found on the side of the road on March 14. The Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Flowers had neck injuries consistent with strangulation, leading them to classify her death as suspicious. A month later, on April 17, another nude woman, Nichole Daniels, was found in a similar manner with signs of external neck trauma resembling Flowers’ injuries.
Both victims were identified as transient sex workers living in the general area where they were found. Witnesses reported seeing Daniels with a man who was later identified as Baez Nieves, describing her entering a white Ford pickup truck. Surveillance footage corroborated this claim, showing Daniels entering the distinctive truck the night before her death. Baez Nieves was found to be actively attempting to sell the truck, prompting suspicion from investigators.
Baez Nieves was initially arrested for driving with a suspended license, but after extensive interviewing, he confessed to killing both women. Sheriff John Mina commended the detectives’ efforts, stating that their vigilance may have prevented Baez Nieves from becoming a prolific serial killer. Mina highlighted the fact that the victims were deliberately targeted by Baez Nieves, who dumped their bodies on the side of the road like trash.
The arrest of Baez Nieves brings closure to the families of Fatia Flowers and Nichole Daniels, as well as the community at large, who may have been concerned about a potential serial killer on the loose. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vulnerable populations, such as transient sex workers, and underscores the importance of law enforcement efforts in bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice. Moving forward, authorities will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murders to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their loved ones.
