Missing mum-of-4 found dead in storage unit after passer-by reports foul smell
An estranged husband who is the prime suspect in the investigation into the death of his wife has now been arrested.
Mother-of-four Shakira Yvonne Rucker was reported missing by her Florida family after being last seen on November 11. She left for an “unknown destination” and potentially with estranged husband Cory Hill - who was named the prime suspect after Ms Rucker’s body was found in a storage unit registered to his name.
When Ms Rucker went missing the police instantly suspected she “may be in danger”, they confirmed in a social media post. Authorities later discovered security footage in Polk County which showed Hill and Ms Rucker together - before launching a major manhunt for Hill.
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The FBI assisted local police in Winter Springs with the search. Winter Springs Police Chief Matt Tracht said he “can’t thank them enough” for their help in the attempt to find Ms Rucker. “It’s not the outcome we expected, but there’s a little bit of closure for Shakeira’s family.”
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Prime suspect Cory Hill was arrested after shooting at a different ex-girlfriend (Orange County Sheriff's Department)
CCTV footage emerged of Hill with Ms Rucker - making him prime suspect (Orange County Sheriff's Department)The breakthrough came after someone called 911 due to a foul odour from a storage unit in Orange County. Authorities found Ms Rucker’s body with multiple gunshot wounds - although the official cause of death is as-yet unconfirmed. John Mina, Orange County sheriff, says the investigation suggests Ms Rucker was shot in the unit.
After being tracked down on November 13, Hill has now been booked at Orange County Jail with no bond, and charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder - after also allegedly shooting at a former girlfriend and her family on November 12.
Hill’s ex-girlfriend was with her two children and cousin standing outside her Kissimmee home when she saw Hill’s vehicle - and she felt a “bullet fly closely by her ear”. Hill broke into the home and pointed a gun at one of the children, saying: “take me to your mommy”. Surveillance footage showed Hill with a gun and four bullets were found in his ex-girlfriend’s home, the Sun reported.
Hill has only been charged with this attempted murder and not yet in connection with Ms Rucker’s murder. "We’re not looking for anyone else. He will be charged with the murder, eventually, in this case,” John Mina said before going on to denounce Hill’s lack of thought for Ms Rucker’s family.
“I want to talk about the pain and suffering that Shakeira’s family have been through and really, Cory Hill could have stopped a lot of that pain and suffering by talking to investigators in the very beginning instead of putting them through this week-long nightmare. The storage unit was registered to him, he had to have known that we would eventually find her in there, so it’s very, very disappointing, and again our heart goes out to the family,” Mina said.
Hill has a history of violence, having spent 20 years in prison from 1993 after being convicted of second-degree murder. But the Rucker family was shocked by his past. “He had like a history we never knew. He was supposed to be a man of God in the church. We never knew,” Dedra Rucker said.
Rucker’s brother, Clarence Thornton, said in a Facebook post on Sunday: “Where do I start, me and my sister…we used to talk and text on the phone four days out of the week so I knew everything. Never would I have ever thought I’ll be writing this so soon, she was only 37, and that’s what hurts the most.”
In a statement released on Sunday, the family said they “would like to express our deepest gratitude for the thoughtful and sincere condolences,” adding that the words of support have “provided comfort and solace during this incredibly challenging time”. They added: “Your kindness has not gone unnoticed and we are truly grateful for the warmth and understanding our community and the media has shown.”
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