Man charged in wife’s death possibly in SW Florida

A man accused of poisoning his wife in Ohio is believed to be in Southwest Florida, authorities said this morning.

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers officials said Yazeed M. Essa, 37, is accused of poisoning his wife, Rosemarie, with cyanide last March near Cleveland. Investigators initially believed the woman died of injuries suffered in a traffic accident, but an autopsy revealed a lethal amount of cyanide in her body.

Ohio police interviewed Essa about his wife’s death, then later tried to arrest him at his home. Authorities said he already had left the area.

Investigators said Essa obtained a $5,000 plane ticket, traveling to Detroit, then Ontario, Canada, and eventually to London and Greece. Authorities said Essa then returned to the United States, where he is believed to be living in North Fort Myers, East Fort Myers or Port Charlotte.

He is believed to be receiving financial help from family and friends in Southwest Florida, investigators said.

Essa, a Michigan native, is 6-foot-2-inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. He is charged with aggravated murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Anyone with information about Essa is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.