A routine morning walk along the scenic shores of Vero Beach took an unexpected and dark turn when a local woman rescued a drowning man, only to discover later that he was the prime suspect in a shocking local double homicide.
The incident unfolded on March 24 near the typically tranquil waters of Riomar Beach. A local resident, identified only as Belinda, was enjoying her morning stroll when she heard faint cries for help coming from the Atlantic Ocean. Springing into action, she waded into the water and guided the distressed, fully clothed man to safety by instructing him to float on his back and let the waves carry him ashore. Once on the sand, the exhausted man told his rescuer he was preparing to take a long vacation.
Unbeknownst to the Good Samaritan, the man she had just pulled from the ocean was 64-year-old Jesse Scott Ellis. Just hours prior, Ellis allegedly committed a brutal double murder that has deeply shaken the Indian River County community.
According to the Vero Beach Police Department, the grim sequence of events began around 7:00 a.m. outside the Indian River County Main Library.
- The Victims: Ellis’s estranged wife of 13 years, 49-year-old Stacie Mason, and 56-year-old Danny Ooley. Both were longtime employees of the Indian River County Public Works Department.
- The Altercation: Police report that Mason and Ooley, who were allegedly involved in a romantic relationship, had parked outside the library. Ellis reportedly arrived armed with an AR-15-style rifle and fired at least 21 shots into Ooley’s truck.
- The Escape: After the shooting, Ellis fled the scene in his gray 2022 Ford F-150, abandoning the weapon behind.
Following the tragic shooting, Ellis drove to nearby South Beach Park, where he abandoned his vehicle. Investigators executing a search of the truck discovered wet clothing, an empty holster, a .380 caliber magazine, and highly concerning documents.
He executed those two individuals. Stacie, his wife of 13 years, and Danny Ooley. He executed them, without question. It was targeted. There was planning here.
Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey noted during a press conference that the documents left in the vehicle spanned several pages dating back to early March, detailing the suspect’s emotional distress over a potential divorce and the impending sale of their marital home. The writings included account numbers left for his children and a brief note signed with an apology.
While authorities initially suspected Ellis may have intended to end his life by walking fully clothed into the ocean around 11:00 a.m., his subsequent rescue at Riomar Beach confirms he survived the water.
Jesse Scott Ellis is currently wanted on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. The Vero Beach Police Department continues to search for the suspect, urging residents of Indian River County and the wider Treasure Coast to remain vigilant. Authorities warn that Ellis should be considered a threat to himself and others. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is strongly urged to call 911 immediately and must absolutely refrain from approaching him.
