Man arrested in West Virginia after Florida woman found shot dead on road: 'He came here to kill'

FLORIDA RIDGE, Fla. - A man accused of killing a 52-year-old Florida woman was arrested in West Virginia four days after her body was found along a road in the Florida Ridge area, according to the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. 

Murder suspect arrested in West Virginia

Matthew Waggle, 33, was arrested Wednesday inside a room at a Super 8 motel in Dunbar, West Virginia, investigators said. He is facing a first-degree murder charge and will be extradited back to Florida.

The victim was identified as Dawn Kriskewic, a Vero Beach hairdresser who investigators said had previously been in a relationship with Waggle.

Florida murder investigation

The backstory:

Deputies found Kriskewic's body around 9 a.m. Aug. 16 near the 500 block of 1st Street, just south of Vero Beach.

Kriskewic had been shot, and a gun was found near the scene, according to investigators. The firearm was later confirmed to be the weapon used in the homicide, according to the sheriff's office.

Detectives learned Waggle had traveled to the area before the killing.

Investigators said Waggle took a Greyhound bus to the Orlando area after previously living in Arizona in early August. From Orlando, he took an Uber to Kriskewic's neighborhood.

Security footage and Ring camera video showed Waggle walking through the neighborhood after being dropped off, according to investigators.

According to the sheriff's office, Waggle walked to Kriskewic's home and spoke with her briefly before shooting her.

Investigators said Waggle spent about 15 minutes in the area before leaving.

Waggle then took an Uber back to Orlando, boarded another Greyhound bus and traveled toward North Carolina before eventually making his way to West Virginia, investigators said.

Authorities said Waggle was traveling alone and are still trying to determine his connection to West Virginia and why he went there.

Law enforcement on Flock, surveillance technology

What they're saying:

Investigators credited Flock license plate reader technology with helping them track Waggle after the killing.

The sheriff's office said the technology played a significant role in locating the suspect in West Virginia.

"Without Flock, I'm not standing here four days later telling you about this guy being in custody in West Virginia," the Indian River County Sheriff's Office said during the press conference. "So, for everyone that wants to talk about how bad this system is, we got a murderer behind bars because of this. Flock is a big deal. It made the case," investigators said.

Relationship background and motel arrest

Dig deeper:

Investigators said Kriskewic and Waggle had previously been in a relationship, but she had ended things and Waggle had moved away.

Kriskewic had told coworkers at the salon that she did not want contact with Waggle if he called or returned to the area.

Investigators said Kriskewic was aware Waggle could potentially come back.

"Things weren't over, and he came here to kill," IRCSO said.

Investigators said Waggle's ex-wife was making calls to the specific West Virginia motel where he was eventually found.

The gun used in the killing belonged to the ex-wife, according to investigators.

The ex-wife was taken into custody at the motel and led investigators to Waggle inside the hotel room, authorities said.

Waggle was then arrested on an outstanding warrant.

The ex-wife has not been charged in connection with Kriskewic's killing. Detectives are continuing to investigate her involvement and are speaking with both her and Waggle.

Extradition and legal steps

What's next:

Authorities said the investigation remains active.

Waggle will be extradited to Florida to face the first-degree murder charge.