Silver Springs woman dies after beaten with ax by ex-boyfriend, deputies say

Victim, suspect have child together

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A Silver Springs woman died of her injuries Sunday two days after she and another woman were beaten with an ax by her ex-boyfriend, who is the father of their child.

Amanda Christia, 33, was in the ICU since Friday on life support with no brain activity, Marion County Sheriff's Office public information Officer Valeria Strong said.

The incident was one of seven domestic violence related attacks over the weekend.

Durant Smith, 40, Christia's ex-boyfriend, was at the house in the 500 block of NE 129th Terrace in Silver Springs to pick up his belongings Friday at 5:30 p.m. when he began attacking her with an ax and a block of wood, according to the report.

Brittany Suber, 23, was also at the house and heard Christia screaming. She told deputies she saw Smith hitting her in the head with an ax. Smith then turned and hit Suber with a block of wood, but she was able to get away.

Suber told deputies that Smith was "obviously trying to kill (Christia)."

When deputies arrived they said they found Christia unconscious, suffering from severe trauma to her head. Deputies said they also found, Suber, who suffered a broken arm. Both women were immediately transported to a nearby hospital.

Suber was treated and released from the hospital.

Deputies used a K-9 unit to track Smith to a vehicle on NE 118th Avenue and arrest him.

Deputies found an ax among Smith's belonging inside the vehicle Smith was transported to the Christia's home in, according to the report.

Smith is charged with aggravated battery and violation of a court ordered injunction protecting Christia after a previous incident of domestic violence. Upgraded charges will be filled later this week for the death of Christia, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Smith was barred from contacting Christia in 2010 after a history of domestic violence, reported the Ocala Star Banner.

Smith is held in the Marion County Jail on no bond.