So I was watching the news the other day and saw they’re making a documentary about the Seminole Heights serial killer. And it hit me: I don’t think I’ve ever talked about this on the blog. Which is wild, because it was one of the scariest times of my life.
If you don’t know what happened, here’s the quick version.
Back in late 2017, for 50 days a man whose name I don’t care to say killed four random people in Seminole Heights:
- Benjamin Edward Mitchell (22) — October 9, 2017
- Monica Caridad Hoffa (32) — October 11 or 12, 2017
- Anthony Naiboa (20) — October 19, 2017
- Ronald Felton (60) — November 14, 2017
Four innocent people. Four families changed forever.
And what does this have to do with me?
Well… I lived two seconds from one of the victims. Literally. And I was out during those exact hours. As crazy as it sounds, I kind of survived a serial killer without even realizing it at the time.
🚗 My Daily Routine Was Basically “Serial Killer Bingo”
This was 2017, so I was driving everyone everywhere:
- Taking my dad to work
- Picking him up
- Taking my tia to work
- Picking her up
- Running errands
- Living in my car basically
The killer was active from around 7 PM to 5 AM, and guess who was out driving during those hours?
Me. Every. Single. Day.
I’d pick up my tia around 6, then run errands between 7–9 PM in the exact area where the murders happened. Then I’d pick up my dad from work between 1–4 AM only a few feet from another spot where a victim was found.
Like… hello? That’s terrifying.
If my dad happened to be home in the morning, he’d have to walk me out. Even my neighbor would watch me get inside safely when I got home late. Everyone was on edge.
And all the victims were near bus stops.
Guess what my dad is?
A bus driver.
It was scary for everyone.
🚔 The City Felt Like a Crime Documentary in Real Time
We had a curfew.
Police were everywhere.
Helicopters, checkpoints, the whole thing felt unreal.
For over 50 days, Tampa couldn’t breathe. You couldn’t walk outside without thinking, “Is today the day I die for no reason?” It was fear layered on fear.
And yes, I’m thankful he was eventually caught.
He was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
But the wildest part?
His parents still think he doesn’t deserve to be in jail.
I’m sorry… what? They were arrested and had to go on trial
Four people lost their lives. Four families lost someone forever. And the whole city lived in fear.
🖤 Looking Back Now
It’s strange to think about it now how close I was, how easily things could’ve gone differently. At the time, I didn’t process it. I just did what I had to do. But looking back, it’s surreal.
For 50 days, we lived with the fear.
And honestly?
Some days, that fear still feels familiar. Not because of him, but because the world is… the world.
But I’m here.
I made it through that chapter.
And I don’t take that lightly.
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