A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal beating and strangling of a motel housekeeping manager, Tina Stradler, at the Rodeway Inn in Venice in April 2021. Stephen Havrilka, 34, attacked Stradler, leaving her unconscious and bloodied in a closet, where she was found by her husband Gerald Strader. Stradler, a mother of four with two grandchildren, tragically passed away later that day.
Havrilka, who has a history of violence with 36 prior arrests, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was also sentenced to another life term for an incident in the Sarasota County Jail in 2024. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with prosecutors describing Havrilka as an extremely violent person who seemed to want to kill another human being. Stradler’s family expressed their devastation in a letter read in court, highlighting the immeasurable loss they have suffered.
The incident was captured on video surveillance, showing Havrilka entering and leaving the motel room shortly after Stradler had gone inside. He was apprehended by deputies a short distance away from the motel carrying a towel and his shoes. The case has shocked the community and highlighted the need for justice for the senseless and violent act committed by Havrilka.
Overall, the tragic story of Tina Stradler’s death at the hands of Stephen Havrilka serves as a reminder of the dangers of senseless violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
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