Police identify woman found dead at southwest Miami-Dade home

Man walks into fire station, claims he killed Barbara Diaz

MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – Police believe Barbara Diaz knew her killer. Relatives said the 44-year-old woman had once loved him enough to marry him, but they were separated. 

Before turning himself over to police on Friday, Rolando Garcia, 53, told relatives he had killed her. The crime scene was a home, 10770 SW 43 Terrace, in the West Lakes neighborhood near Tamiami Park. 

While Miami-Dade police detectives were investigating, a yellow tarp covered Diaz's body, which was lying on the ground near to a piece of fitness equipment oddly placed in the front yard.

A relative reported finding her body outside of the home. Police were looking for the alleged killer, when he walked into a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue station in southwest Miami-Dade County and confessed yet again.

Miami-Dade Detectives picked him up from the station, 6000 SW 87 Ave., and questioned him at the homicide bureau.

Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said the medical examiner's office had yet to determine the cause of death. 

Rolando was arrested on a second degree murder charge. 


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.