Potential 'serial killer' charged in Florida as he confesses to strangling two women to death, dumping their bodies

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

MIAMI, FLORIDA: Carlos Yadiel Baez-Nieves, 25, a resident of Central Florida, apparently confessed to the murders of two women, Fatia Flowers, 41, and Nichole Daniels, 44, after he was apprehended at a traffic stop for driving with a suspended license on Friday, April 26.

He was on the police radar as he drove a "very distinctive" white Ford F-150, which was seen on surveillance footage captured on the night before Daniels' body was discovered. 

Authorities uncover potential 'serial killer' Carlos Yadiel Baez-Nieves' pattern

During subsequent interviews with detectives, Baez-Nieves admitted to the killings of Flowers and Daniels, whose bodies were found in March and April, respectively.

Authorities noted that the 25-year-old who moved to Central Florida from Puerto Rico in 2020, specifically sought out the most vulnerable, "women who were transient and traded sex for money."

Orange County Sheriff John Mina noted, "He targeted women who he clearly thought would not be missed. He murdered them and dumped their bodies on the side of the road like they were trash," as per Fox News.

He added, "But, very, very grateful and thankful for our great detectives who knew that Fatia's and Nichole's lives were meaningful and that they, of course, deserve justice like all of us." 

Baez-Nieves reportedly picked up Flowers and Daniels on separate occasions, engaging in sexual activity before strangling them to death. He then disposed of their bodies at the intersection of Trevarthon Road and Harold Road. 

Further investigation uncovered disturbing parallels between the victims: both were transient women in the East Orlando area, with a history of drug usage and were found nude or partially clothed at the scene.

"Because of our detectives' relentless efforts in this case, they stopped Baez-Nieves from becoming a prolific serial killer," said Sheriff Mina.

What are the charges against Carlos Yadiel Baez-Nieves?

Currently, Baez-Nieves is detained without bond in the Orange County Jail and has been slapped with two counts of first-degree murder. Sheriff Mina emphasized the possibility of additional victims, hinting at a broader investigation into Baez-Nieves' potential involvement in similar crimes across the country.

He noted, "He killed two women in a month's time, so to me, that is the definition of a serial killer. But I think this is a person who is clearly capable of doing this and may have done it in the past, and the fact that he targeted women that he thought would not be missed leads you to believe as well that he is a killer and probably would have killed again."