The Murder of Sasha Samsudean
I just watched the show See No Evil on ID, it’s Season 5, Episode 2 titled ‘No Place Like Home.’ Ironically, that’s one of my favorite parts of the movie Wizard of Oz, but this case doesn’t have a happy ending.
Background
Sasha Samsudean was 27 years old at the time of her death. She graduated from the University of Florida, and worked as a social media manager for a real estate and apartment company. Everyone described Sasha as being bubbly and happy all the time, and that she was amazing at her job. They also said Sasha worked hard all the time, and liked to go out on most weekends, which is what she did the night she was killed.
Sasha
Murder
On October 17th, 2015, Sasha and a group of her friends went to the Attic Nightclub. Her friend Anthony said Sasha was ready to leave at about 12:30am. He said it was common for them to separate, go to other bars and meet back up. He said he didn’t see her again, but was supposed to go out to breakfast with her the next morning.
The next morning, Sasha never showed up for breakfast, didn’t answer any text messages or phone calls. Anthony and two of her other friends went to check on her, because Sasha was very into her social media and texting so it was strange that she didn’t respond.
They arrived at the Uptown Apartments where Sasha lived, and they immediately spotted her car, and noticed the present she was supposed to take to the baby shower she was supposed to attend that day. They went to her apartment, knocked on the door and called out to her. There was no answer so Anthony called the police. In his 911 call, he said he wanted to report a missing person, and that they had called all the hospitals, jails, etc and couldn’t find Sasha.
The police arrived soon after, and entered her apartment. At first they didn't find her, until an officer walked into her bedroom and saw hair and an arm sticking out of the comforter. Sasha was found, and there was obvious signs of strangulation, as she had marks on her neck. They also found it odd that it smelled of cleaning supplies, and her toilet seat was up. Sasha lived alone, but they did find fingerprints on the toilet seat lid.
Her cell phone, purse and key fab were also missing.
Investigation
The police found security cameras on all floors of the apartment building. There were cameras in the halls and near the exits. They also took the security footage from the street cameras. Sasha would have had to walk 10 blocks home on Orange Avenue, which is the downtown strip of road in downtown Orlando.
They also interviewed the security guard from the apartment complex who on duty the night Sasha died. His name was Steven Duxbury. He said he saw Sasha that night because she was trying to get into the building. He said she didn't have her cell phone or key fab, and couldn’t remember her code to get in. He said she was very intoxicated, but asked him to walk her to her car to see if her things were in there. He said they walked out, but then she remembered her code, but it still didn't work. He said he had to get back to his work, but she must have gotten in behind some other residents, and he didn't see her again.
Surveillance Footage
The police turned to the security tapes. They started with the Attic Nightclub, and found Sasha walking home. She stood out because she was wearing white pants, and a purple shirt.
Sasha in her apartment complex the night she died.
Sasha was stumbling, appearing to be drunk but she was alone. She is then seen running, but disappears because their was a glitch in the first tape.
Sasha is seen 6 seconds later, but she’s with 2 women. The police put out pictures of Sasha and the 2 women to see if anyone will come forward. Two women do come forward and say that they helped Sasha, who was by herself walking. They said they helped her because they heard some men trying to talk to her, and they were scared for her. They said she didn't have her ID or cell phone, so they offered her to share their Uber. They said once Sasha saw that they were at her apartment, she leapt out of the car and they didn't see her again.
Next, Sasha is seen at 1:46am going to her apartment. Another man, who turned out to be a concerned resident asks her if she’s okay, and she replies yes. He is not seen again on the tapes, ruling him out.
She’s seen again at 2:06am, and is running again. The security footage in the apartment has audio, so Sasha is making a lot of noise with her shoes.
She’s seen again at 2:25am, but she’s not alone. The security guard, Steven Duxbury is with her. They are seen walking to and from the garage, like he told the police. As of right now, his story checked out.
Sasha and Stephen on the security footage
There’s a lot of noise on the tape, but you can hear when Sasha says she’s okay, as well as her flip flops.
Autopsy
Sasha’s cause of death was strangulation, which was obvious to the police right away. They also found foreign male DNA on Sasha’s body, and on the toilet seat.
Suspects
The police interviewed Sasha’s two ex-boyfriends, because strangulation is usually a crime of passion.
The first man is named Taylor, who is a bartender. He said he and Sasha were never exclusive, but said they still talked. He said he was at work until 9:30pm that Friday night. He also let them take a DNA sample, and he was ruled out.
The next man they interviewed was named Ben. He was a suspect because Sasha texted him at 5:12am, which was her last message sent. It read “Ben.” He said he and Sasha briefly dated, and were supposed to hangout that weekend, but didn’t. He said he was at friends house all night on Friday, and never left. His DNA was also not a match, and he was ruled out.
The final suspect was Steven Duxbury. He said he left work at 6am, but was seen on camera still at the apartments at 6:36am. He’s seen carrying two garbages bags, which were white with red handles. The same garbage bags that were found in Sasha’s apartment.
The police found out that it was not in Steven’s job description to take out people’s trash, but to report if residents didn't take their garbage back inside.
They asked Steven to take a polygraph. The needle jumped when he was asked if he was in Sasha’s apartment, and if Sasha was strangled. The police found it odd, considering the public didn't know Sasha’s cause of death yet.
Steven’s DNA was also a match the foreign DNA on Sasha and on the toilet seat. Steven had also made a search on his phone “How to Defeat a Digital Lock,” which is what the locks on the apartment doors were.
Arrest
Steven was arrested for first degree murder, attempted sexual battery with physical force and burglary of a dwelling with assault and battery.
Stephen Duxbury was sentenced to two life sentences for first degree murder and rape, and an additional 15 years for burglary.
Stephen Duxbury
Stephen at trial
Sasha’s family talks about Sasha and how they have become victim advocates.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Sasha was a hardworking person, and wanted to go out and have fun. She got home safely, just to be brutally murdered in her own home. Stephen clearly thought Sasha was flirting or interested in him, just because she needed help and was talking to him for a brief moment. He had absolutely no right to enter her safe place, and violate her. I feel so bad for her family and friends, but I’m glad this monster is off the street because he probably would have done it again.
Sources
https://heavy.com/news/2015/10/sasha-samsudean/
http://www.cityoforlando.net/police/arrest-in-sasha-samsudean-murder/
