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Lovers' Quarrel May Have Sparked Murder-Suicide

Prominent Republican Party Consultant, 2 Others Found Dead

POSTED: Thursday, August 23, 2007
UPDATED: 11:40 pm EDT August 23, 2007

A prominent Republican Party consultant is one of three men found dead in a Central Florida home Thursday in an apparent double murder-suicide possibly sparked by a lovers' quarrel, according to detectives.

A woman's out-of-state phone call requesting a well-being check on a friend led Orange County sheriff's deputies to the bodies of Ralph Gonzalez, David Abrami and Robert Drake Thursday.

When deputies arrived at the home after receiving the call at 9:13 a.m., the front door was open, and officers said they found the victims inside and signs of a struggle.

"We are working it as a homicide, but there is some early evidence to suggest that this may in fact be a murder-suicide," Orange County sheriff's Sgt. Allen Lee said.

Detectives said one of the victims was an ex-member of the military and was found wearing a backpack. Bomb squad members were called out to the scene after bags were found in his parked vehicle.

Investigators also found several weapons in the house.

The three men may have been dead since Tuesday.

The home's address is listed as the office of The Strategum Group, a firm founded by political strategist Ralph Gonzalez.

Gonzalez's clients have included U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, State Rep. Dean Cannon and U.S. Rep Tom Price, according to the firm's Web site. Gonzalez is the former executive director of the Georgia Republican Party, the Web site stated.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this developing story.

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