MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A woman is facing a murder charge after police say she fatally beat her stepfather with a metal cane and a jar of hair vitalizer during a violent altercation that occurred inside his Miami Gardens home last month.
Police said Victoria Williams, 61, of Miami Beach, called 911 to report that her stepfather had “nearly bitten her finger off” during a fight that occurred just after 2 p.m. on Feb. 4.
However, an arrest report obtained by Local 10 News on Wednesday stated she did not mention that he was unconscious or in need of medical assistance.
Miami Gardens police said officers arrived at a home near the 15000 block of Northwest 32nd Place and found the victim, who has not been publicly identified, unresponsive in the living room with severe head injuries.
Officers noted that Williams had bloodstains on her clothes and that she allowed them inside without resistance.
Authorities said first responders attempted lifesaving measures before rushing the man to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:10 p.m.
A search warrant led investigators to significant blood evidence throughout the home, including splatters on the walls, ceiling, and ceiling fan, the report stated.
Detectives said they also recovered a bloodied metal cane and a large hair vitalizer jar, which they believe were used as weapons in the attack.
Police said Williams initially told officers she was acting in self-defense, claiming her stepfather became aggressive when she visited to check on her mother.
The report stated that Williams told police her stepfather attacked her, leading to a struggle on the floor in which he bit her finger and leg. However, police said she denied using any objects to strike him.
As the investigation continued, police discovered Williams’ purse at the scene, which contained multiple credit cards belonging to the victim and her mother, along with an ID and $619 in cash.
Authorities also noted that a $10 bill inside the purse appeared to be stained with blood.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled the death was caused by “homicidal violence,” citing blunt force injuries consistent with the weapons found at the scene.
During a post-Miranda interview, police said Williams claimed there was a history of problems with her stepfather. She said he would not allow her to visit her mother and that he “never treated her fairly.”
No one answered the door at the home where the alleged incident occurred when Local 10 News arrived.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer acknowledged the possibility of a self-defense claim but ruled that there is probable cause for a second-degree murder charge at this stage of the proceedings.
As of Wednesday, Williams is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
