Miami-Dade Man Charged with Wife's Murder in Car Explosion Incident

A Hispanic man, whose country of origin remains undisclosed, has been accused of murdering his wife in Hialeah Gardens, located in Miami-Dade. The incident involved the explosion of his own car with his wife inside, following a heated argument. Although the femicide has only now come to light, it actually occurred around 6:00 a.m. on February 1st on Northwest 114th Terrace, near the couple's residence.

Initial investigations unveiled that the victim and the perpetrator—50-year-old Noel Ruiz Mestre—were married. Their relationship had recently been strained, possibly due to alleged infidelity on the woman's part. Eyewitnesses reported that the couple was in the car, which suddenly stopped in the middle of the street. A severe argument ensued inside the vehicle, and the woman attempted to escape but was unable to do so.

Shortly thereafter, Ruiz Mestre exited the vehicle and, with premeditation, triggered an explosive device inside the car. The powerful blast awakened neighbors, who described the sound as terrifyingly loud. Security footage captured the exact moment of the explosion.

“I woke up thinking, what's happening? The explosion was incredibly, incredibly loud,” recounted Miguel Hernández, a local resident, in an interview with Telemundo 51. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) confirmed that the explosion was deliberately caused using a homemade bomb or an unknown incendiary device.

Firefighters arrived to find the vehicle engulfed in flames. They discovered the severely charred body of the victim in the front passenger seat, unrecognizable due to the extensive burns. Meanwhile, Ruiz Mestre fled to his home, discarded his burned clothing, and, in an apparent act of self-harm, stabbed himself multiple times in the abdomen before calling 911 to report his injuries.

The suspect remains hospitalized and faces serious charges. He was immediately taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition, where he continues to receive medical treatment for his injuries and burns. However, authorities have already charged him with second-degree murder and first-degree arson. The victim’s identity has not yet been officially released by authorities.

Residents of Hialeah Gardens are in shock over the incident. Many described the couple as normal and friendly individuals. “She always greeted you; she was a very nice person,” one neighbor recalled, while another mentioned that Ruiz Mestre often sat quietly in front of his house without drawing attention.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the details of the case, including the exact type of explosive used. It is expected that Ruiz Mestre will be transferred to jail once he is medically cleared, to face the serious charges against him.