April 27, 2008
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

MAN ABOUT TO BE ARRESTED COMMITS SUICIDE 

A 59-year-old man took his own life late Saturday night in front of Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies who were about to arrest him. The incident took place at around 9:30 p.m. Saturday night inside 21 W. Tipperary Lane near Ormond Beach. 

Deputies had been out to the house earlier in the day after receiving a call at about 8 a.m. Saturday morning regarding a disturbance at the residence. When deputies arrived, the suspect, 59-year-old Charles Cuidera, had already fled the home. Witnesses said that before leaving the house, Cuidera punched a family member in the face and hit her in the head with a cup of coffee during an argument. When the victim’s husband stepped in to intervene, witnesses said Cuidera knocked him to the ground. Both victims sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. Responding deputies searched the neighborhood, but were unable to find Cuidera. 

When deputies returned to the residence at around 9:25 p.m., Cuidera was inside the house in his underwear. Deputies informed Cuidera that he was under arrest and told him to put his clothes on. Cuidera started to gather his clothes and suddenly grabbed a handgun and shot himself in the head. Paramedics with Volusia County Fire Services responded to the scene and pronounced Cuidera dead at 9:48 p.m.