Bradenton woman shot and killed inside her home by ex-boyfriend, deputies say
A man shot and killed his ex-girlfriend early Friday inside her Bradenton home, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Cesar Cortes, 28, of Wimauma, went to his ex-girlfriend Crystal Pena’s home in the 6800 block of 26th Street West around 1:20 a.m., shot her and ran from the scene.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office contacted Manatee deputies about the shooting around 2:30 a.m., and investigators later used witness information to find and arrest Cortes, according to the sheriff’s office.
A witness reported that his acquaintance, Cortes, asked for a ride from Wimauma to Pena’s home earlier that night, according to the sheriff’s office. The witness said he waited outside, heard several gunshots and saw Cortes run from the house before they both returned to their homes in Wimauma, deputies said.
The witness contacted law enforcement about an hour later to report what happened, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies responded to the Bradenton home after receiving the call from Hillsborough County and found Pena, 36, dead inside, the sheriff’s office said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cortes around 7:40 a.m. Friday, according to the agency. Deputies said he faces a charge of murder.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.
This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 11:06 AM.
