News and Investigations

Following a three-and-a-half month investigation, the Polk County Sheriff's Office has arrested 38-year-old Rachel Fidanian of 3701 Wheeler Road, Lakeland, for the stabbing-death of her husband on June 25, 2018.

At 9:32 a.m. on that Monday morning, a 9-1-1 call was made with the information that 40-year-old Bryant Fidanian had been accidentally stabbed by his wife in their home. He died a short time later at the hospital.

Throughout the investigation, Mrs. Fidanian gave several inconsistent statements about the events which resulted with her husband being stabbed in the shoulder. Her account of the stabbing centered on her either tripping or slipping while holding her dog in one hand, and a filet knife in the other. Mrs. Fidanian attempted to demonstrate how she was holding her dog, for example, but she was unable to pick it up. Ultimately, detectives determined none of her explanations were plausible.
 
An autopsy by the Medical Examiner's Office determined that four inches of the blade cut through Mr. Fidanian's second rib bone (left side) and cut the pulmonary artery. The Medical Examiner has ruled the death as a homicide. 

"The suspect made a lot of excuses, but none of them made sense. Our detectives did a thorough investigation. In the end, they determined this was an intentional act of domestic violence. Incidentally, her arrest occurred during Domestic Violence Awareness Month." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

On October 10, 2018 an arrest warrant was obtained for Rachel Fidanian for 2nd Degree Murder (F-L), and she was arrested at her residence, and transported to the Polk County Jail.