SPRINGFIELD, MO – A child’s frantic 911 call helped police respond to a gruesome scene where a woman had been beaten to death with a hammer by her partner, who was found with blood splattered across his body, authorities say.
Felipe Ayala III, 34, faces first-degree murder charges in the death of Suzette Flores, 47. He’s being held without bond after the brutal attack at their Springfield home.
The harrowing emergency call tells the story of a child watching helplessly as violence erupted between their parents.
“I need somebody my dad is hitting my mother. I need a police officer,” the caller said, according to court documents. An older sibling can be heard in the background saying, “They have been doing this forever and I am tired of it.”
As the attack continued, the young caller’s voice grew more panicked: “I do not know what he is doing to my momma. I hear banging she is not yelling or nothing anymore.”
When officers arrived, they found Flores in the garage with catastrophic injuries to her head. Her skull had been fractured so severely that brain matter was visible, according to investigators. A bloody hammer was recovered near her body.
Ayala was detained at the scene with blood spatter covering his clothing and body. Court records indicate he has a lengthy criminal history including prior arrests for domestic assault, property damage, drug possession, and armed criminal action.
A neighbor told police they witnessed part of the assault but did not call for help.
The children who were present during the attack are now in the care of family members. Victim advocates say the case highlights the devastating toll domestic violence takes on entire families.
Ayala is scheduled for a bond hearing later this week. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the maximum penalty allowed under Missouri law.
