Authorities in Florida have arrested 53-year-old Richard Edmond Seith, an eye doctor, after he was accused of first-degree murder in the death of his ex-wife, Cynthia Lynn Sciarrone. Sciarrone, 54, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head outside her condo in Palm Beach County on July 15. The tragic incident comes after a bitter divorce settlement in which Seith was ordered to pay $285,000 to his ex-wife.
The Murder
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office responded to a “man down” call around 3:20 a.m. on July 15 at Sciarrone’s Greenacres condo. They found her outside her car, dressed in her Spirit Airlines flight attendant uniform, and suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. Surveillance footage from Sciarrone’s car showed her arriving home around 11:43 p.m. the previous night. In the video, a gunshot can be heard, followed by a man in a baseball hat walking away from the scene.
Investigative Findings
Investigators used cellphone data and license plate readers to track Seith’s movements before and after the murder. His orange Jeep Wrangler was found near the condo at the time of the shooting, and a witness reported seeing Seith’s vehicle near the complex in the days leading up to the murder. Additionally, Seith reportedly conducted internet searches to determine when his ex-wife’s flight would arrive at the airport.
The Divorce and Motive
Seith and Sciarrone finalized their divorce on May 5, with Seith owing his ex-wife $285,000 as part of the settlement. The funds were meant to pay off a mortgage on a home that Sciarrone had received. In recent months, Sciarrone had reported two separate vandalism incidents involving her car, which she suspected Seith was responsible for.
Domestic Abuse Allegations
The investigation revealed that Seith’s behavior towards Sciarrone had been abusive during their marriage. A witness, who had dated Seith before becoming friends with Sciarrone, told investigators about Seith’s “escalating pattern of emotional and psychologically abusive behavior” toward his ex-wife. He allegedly pressured her to engage in swinging activities, offering to pay for her dental work in exchange. Sciarrone had taken up a job as a flight attendant to gain more financial independence, which further strained their relationship. Seith reportedly struggled with jealousy and insecurity when she was away for work.
Past Behavior
The witness also shared that Seith had previously confessed to stalking an ex-girlfriend using a fake Facebook account and contacting her new partner to disparage her. This ex-girlfriend later contacted Sciarrone, warning her to “run run run” from Seith. Seith had even sought professional help after having thoughts of killing his other ex-wife during their divorce, according to investigators.
Seith’s Denial
When questioned by detectives on July 16, Seith denied any involvement in his ex-wife’s death. He claimed that the last time he saw Sciarrone was during a court hearing in December, and he denied any connection to the shooting.
Ongoing Investigation
Richard Seith has been arrested and is facing charges related to the death of his ex-wife. Authorities continue to investigate the case, with further updates expected as more details emerge.
