Hungarian national jailed after allegedly killing 2 older men in separate incidents, cops say
An early-morning crash in Miami last month led detectives to the gruesome discovery of two slain men, allegedly at the hands of a Hungarian national, authorities said. The suspect was put behind bars Wednesday in connection with the killings, but police are still searching for other possible victims.
On Jan. 19, Rodolfo Fernandez de Velasco, a 71-year-old disabled man, was found behind the wheel of a black 2014 Kia Soul that had slammed into a sidewall in Miami, at Northwest 14th Avenue and Northwest Second Street, Miami police said.
Officers were initially called out to a possible hit-and-run, but that changed when they discovered Fernandez de Velasco was dead, with both front seat belts wrapped around his neck. In their search for answers, police checked nearby surveillance footage, which showed the crash and an unknown man getting out of the passenger seat before officers arrived.
Fernandez de Velasco’s cause of death was later revealed to be asphyxiation, launching a homicide investigation.
Not only did they find a suspect, but they also linked him to a similar case in Miami Beach involving an older disabled man who was found dead in his home Nov. 21.
Detectives, with the help of Miami Beach police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, identified the suspect as 25-year-old Hungarian national Zsolt Zsolyomi, police said.
“Our detectives conducted a comprehensive investigation in partnership with the City of Miami Police Department, resulting in the successful apprehension of Zsolt Zsolyomi.” Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones said in a statement. “We remain committed to pursuing justice for the victim and his family.”
Man, 66, found dead in bathtub
On Nov. 21, Miami Beach police rushed to a 911 call of a dead man at a home in the 1000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, according to an arrest warrant.
The victim’s family met officers at the home and identified him as Carlos Alonso Villaquiran, a 66-year-old disabled man. They said they were concerned when Villaquiran didn’t show up for work and wasn’t responding to his phone.
They came and knocked on his door numerous times before using a key to get in. They discovered Villaquiran dead in the bathtub, the warrant read.
Detectives found Villaquiran face down with his head and upper body partially submerged in about 6 inches of water.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a Nest camera that had captured a thin man wearing dark clothes and a baseball cap coming in and out of Villaquiran’s apartment. The man also stole Villaquiran’s keys and car, a 2002 Honda CRV.
As detectives searched the man’s phone, they found that he had an intimate relationship with a man named “Thomas” who matched the same description. “Thomas” would later be discovered to be Zsolyomi.
Days before the murder, Villaquiran accused Zsolyomi of beating him and taking property from him, the warrant read. He went on to say, in messages, that he was scared of Zsolyomi and never wanted to see him again.
As some point, Villaquiran discovered “Thomas’” real identity and promptly texted Zsolyomi that he knew who he really was and would be telling the police about the assault and theft. Zsolyomi would go on to allegedly kill Villaquiran after this message.
Capturing Zsolyomi
Zsolyomi was caught Wednesday, after detectives obtained an arrest warrant, by Miami police’s felony apprehension team in downtown Miami.
According to police, Zsolyomi confessed to detectives about the killings. He is currently being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on two counts of second-degree murder.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have been victimized by Zsolyomi or has information related to similar cases to call the Miami Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 305-603-6350.
“This successful partnership between Miami Police, Miami Beach Police, CBP, SAO and other agencies is a prime example of the power of collaboration in bringing justice and closure to the victims and their families,” Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales said in a statement. “It is through these united efforts that we can hold those who commit such heinous crimes accountable and ensure the safety of our community.”
This story was originally published February 21, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
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