What began as a routine welfare check in Fort Lauderdale quickly unfolded into a devastating chain of events spanning two Florida cities. On Tuesday afternoon, officers responding to a concern at a condo in the upscale Victoria Park neighborhood made a heartbreaking discovery inside a third-floor unit on Northeast 15th Avenue. A 46-year-old woman, Larisa Blyudaya, and her 18-year-old son, Ben Azizov, were found deceased. As investigators worked to piece together what had happened, they soon realized the tragedy did not stop there — and that the timeline stretched far beyond that single address.
Earlier that same morning, about 150 miles away in Sarasota County’s Amberlea neighborhood, a resident reported hearing a loud noise around 11 a.m. Not long after, she discovered a man lying injured in a nearby yard and immediately called 911 while attempting lifesaving aid. The victim, identified as 61-year-old Anatoly “Tony” Ioffe, was later pronounced deceased. When deputies entered the home, they found three additional victims inside: Tony’s wife, Florita “Rita” Stolyar; their son, Yaroslav “Stan” Blyudoy; and a family friend, Olga Greinert. A fifth individual was also located at the scene and was later identified as 51-year-old Russell Kot of Fort Lauderdale, who authorities say died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
As law enforcement agencies in both cities coordinated their investigations, a connection emerged. Officials stated that the victims in Sarasota were members of Larisa Blyudaya’s immediate family. According to investigators, the suspect is believed to have first traveled to the Fort Lauderdale residence before driving south to Sarasota later that morning. Video footage and neighborhood camera systems helped establish a timeline of vehicle movements and activity in both locations. Authorities continue to analyze digital evidence and witness accounts to better understand the events leading up to the tragedy.
The impact of this case has left surviving family members and the broader community in mourning. A fundraising campaign has been established to assist those affected with funeral costs and counseling services. Law enforcement officials say the investigation remains active as they work to determine motive and ensure all facts are carefully documented. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau. Behind the headlines are families forever changed by a single day of unimaginable loss.
