FLORIDA: Cops Capture Suspect In Murders Of Wilton Manors Gay Couple

Florida police have captured a man driving the stolen vehicle of the Wilton Manors gay couple they suspect he murdered on Christmas weekend.

Peter Serge Avsenew, 26, was captured near Dundee, Fl., miles away from where police said he murdered Kevin Mark Powell and Stephen Adams on Sunday. The couple was found dead in their home by police. Avsenew, who is from Hollywood, was spotted by cops in Powell's black 2003 Saturn Vue.

Police have not yet revealed how the victims died and have not speculated publicly on what relationship the suspect may have had with them. The victims had been together for 29 years.

UPDATE: Avsenew has an extensive criminal history. At the time of his capture, he was already wanted on a probation violation in the Keys.

Across the state, Avsenew has been taken into custody more than a dozen times since 2003, state records show. He has been convicted of vehicle theft, robbery, grand theft and engaging in fraud through bounced checks. He also has pleaded no contest to marijuana possession, loitering, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief and resisting an officer without violence. Avsenew also relies on about eight different aliases, including the name Peter Avsenen, according to the state Department of Corrections.

According to Avsenew's Facebook page, he has a newborn son. Below a recent posting of the boy's photo, a woman with the same last name (probably the suspect's mother) warns: "Peter, Look at these pictures does this baby deserve anything but the best? then think before you do anything stupid."

(Tipped by JMG reader Greg)

FLORIDA: Gay Couple Found Murdered In Their Wilton Manors Home

South Florida Gay News reports that a gay couple was found murdered in their Wilton Manors home this weekend.

The two men whose bodies were found inside their rented home at 2513 NE 8th Avenue in Wilton Manors were domestic partners Kevin Mark Powell, 47, and Steve Adams, 52, former residents of Hollywood, Florida. Their bodies were discovered by the sister of one of the victims, who had called police when her brother had not arrived to her home for the holidays. Kevin Powell had been very ill with Diabetes and she was doing a wellness check. Powell, whose hobby was arts and crafts, had once been featured on the Home and Garden channel after creating a home for his dogs within his home, including pet sized lighting and furniture.

Wilton Manors police are seeking the couple's missing car. JMG readers who may have information about the couple should call detectives at 954-390-2150.

FORT LAUDERDALE: JMG Reader Meet-Up At Georgie's Alibi, Tomorrow At 9PM

Just a reminder that we'll be having our Fort Lauderdale JMG reader meet-up at Georgie's Alibi in Wilton Manors tomorrow night at 9PM. My apologies that this one is on a weeknight, but anything else doesn't work with Xmas falling over the weekend. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of you tomorrow!

FORT LAUDERDALE: JMG Reader Meet-Up At Georgie's Alibi On Dec. 21st At 9PM

We'll be having our Fort Lauderdale JMG reader meet-up at Georgie's Alibi in Wilton Manors on Tuesday, December 21st at 9PM. Apologies that this one isn't on a weekend night, but that doesn't work out during Xmas week. I'm looking forward to seeing lots of you there!

WILTON MANORS: Massive Gay Resort Announced For Fort Lauderdale Area

Wilton Manors, the very gay small town just north of Fort Lauderdale, is slated to get a massive new resort.

New York-based G Worldwide plans to break ground on a 700,000 square-foot resort at an estimated cost of $80 million in Wilton Manors. The luxury resort, scheduled for completion in 2011, will bring over 500 new jobs to the area and is the first in a series of projects for the company catering to the LGBT community. David Holzapfel, COO of G Worldwide, is enthusiastic about the project. “The reason we chose Wilton Manors for our first project is because we felt that South Florida is a wonderful location.” Holzapfel likes the community of Wilton Manors, stating that the company has already garnered a great deal of support for the project. The resort will feature numerous lavish amenities. “We will have a fitness center, spa, nightclub, and a variety of dining options, all on property,” Holzapfel says. In addition, the resort also plans to offer a rooftop lounge and garden, as well as an art gallery and banquet center. The property, located at 1224 NE 24th Street, will only be a short walk from the Wilton Drive entertainment district, offering visitors an array of shopping and nightlife options. G Resort Wilton Manors also plans on attracting 25 major events to the resort, including conferences that will ultimately generate revenue for local businesses.

The resort will feature 172 all-suite rooms, including a number of 3000 square-foot penthouse triplex suites. It'll be interesting to see if Wilton Manors' bustling gay business environment can support such a behemoth, particularly in this economy. (I seem to recall a similar gay condo project, Wilton Station, having problems selling their units several years ago.) And some are concerned that such a big resort will crush some of local gay guesthouses. But who knows, every time I go back it seems like there are a dozen new gay businesses on Wilton Drive.

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