Video shows suspect sought in woman’s killing at motel

Deputies are hoping grainy surveillance video footage will help lead them to the person who killed a woman at an Orange County motel.

The footage, released Thursday, was taken outside the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on South Orange Blossom Trail before Amber Elizabeth Carruthers, 32, was found dead in a room the morning of June 17.

Detective Fabian Ramirez of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the footage shows Carruthers and an unknown man outside the motel. He said authorities consider the man to be a suspect in her killing.

“We don’t know why she was there that night … [but] she suffered trauma, and she was murdered,” Ramirez said.

The 37-second video shows a vehicle pulling up to the motel before Carruthers and the man start walking down a hallway.

The man — who is 5-foot-10 to 6 feet tall and weighs 200 to 225 pounds — has a distinctive walk.

“Pay close attention to the way the guy is walking. He’s got a certain stride to him. Pay close attention to the way his clothes fit his body. Pay close attention to the way his hairline looks,” Ramirez said.

Carruthers was the mother of a 7-year-old son. A statewide alert was issued when the boy was reported missing after her death. He was found safe with his father, Joseff Rhodes, 42, in California.

Ramirez said authorities do not consider Rhodes a suspect, but he has a “significant violent criminal history,” such as involvement in human trafficking and prostitution.

The boy is currently in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

Ramirez said he speaks to Carruthers’ family, who live out of state, and they are hoping for closure.

“They’re concerned, and I’ve let them know that we’re on the case,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time, and with the help of the community, I’m sure we can solve this.”