A beloved Florida elementary school teacher was killed by her pre-med son because “she got on his nerves,” police said.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said University of Florida medical student Emmanuel Espinoza, 21, was driving from Gainesville to Frostproof when he decided to kill his mother Saturday.
Emmanuel was traveling to attend a family event and had asked his mother, 46-year-old Elvia Espinoza, if he could stay at her house for the weekend.
He arrived at the second grade teacher’s home around 2 p.m., and when she opened the door, he began stabbing her.
“We talked to him and he admitted, ‘You know I’ve wanted to kill my mother for many years because she got on my nerves,’” Judd said.
Elvia Espinoza (pictured), 46, was stabbed to death by her 21-year-old son in her Florida home on Saturday, police said
Emmanuel Espinoza (pictured), 21, called 911 and confessed to killing his mother immediately after stabbing her to death
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Emmanuel (second from left) admitted that he wanted to kill his mother (second from right) for years because “she got on his nerves.”
“As soon as he killed her, he called 911 and immediately confessed to the 911 operators.”
The sheriff said they asked Emmanuel about his relationship with his mother and he said he really loved her, but she annoyed him so he decided to kill her.
“He knocked on the front door and when mom opened the door he started stabbing her and he stabbed her many times,” Judd said.
“She was running from him, she was on the phone with a family member and on top of that he stabbed her until she fell and died.”
Judd said Emmanuel has cooperated with investigators and is charged with first-degree murder.
Polk County Public Schools confirmed to DailyMail.com that Elvia was a second-grade teacher at Frostproof Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary.
“Her students and colleagues loved her deeply, and her sudden, unexpected death is a devastating loss. She was a very special part of her school family,” the district said.
The school has called the parents of all its students and will make community grief counselors available on Monday.
Online tributes are pouring in for the beloved mother, teacher and community member.
Polk County Public Schools confirmed to DailyMail.com that Elvia was a second-grade teacher at Frostproof Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary
The sheriff said they asked Emmanuel about his relationship with his mother and he said he really loved her, but she annoyed him so he decided to kill her.
Online tributes are pouring in for the beloved mother, teacher and community member
University of Florida medical student Emmanuel Espinoza (pictured) was driving from Gainesville to Frostproof when he decided to kill his mother
‘Elvia always had a smile. I loved her family and her children. I was proud to be a teacher and worked hard for it. She was one of my best students, a colleague and a fellow teacher,” said Nancy Murray DeMarco.
“Elvia Espinoza was the sweetest person to me and my family, she was always cheerful and kind,” Sherry Dacres said.
‘So many memories of chatting outside at the end of a long day. She truly loved teaching and was so proud of being a grandmother. What a sad day in our little town, rest in heaven my dear friend.”
‘Elvia, there are no adequate words to describe what we feel. You were such a kind, genuine, loving and caring person that knowing you are gone makes the world a little bleaker,” said Monica Alvarado.
‘I have always admired how you poured your heart into everything and everyone around you. We are all incredibly devastated. Thank you Elvia for loving us and being everyone’s biggest cheerleader. I love you and you are greatly missed.”