Facebook Posts Reveal Disturbing Behavior of Akron Murder-Suicide Suspect, Elliot Hareem Altesa, Months Before Tragedy
AKRON, OH – In the wake of the shocking murder-suicide that left 44-year-old Jessica Leigh Violand and 26-year-old Elliot Hareem Altesa dead, chilling details have emerged from a 2024 Facebook post warning about Altesa’s disturbing behavior months before the fatal incident.
The post, shared by a Facebook user in 2024, describes a bizarre encounter with Altesa, raising concerns about his mental state and behavior at the time. The post reads:
“His name is Elliot Hareem Altesa, and he lives in Akron. His Twitter profile is scary as shit. Police are aware and have tried calling him and finding him. Does anyone know this guy?”
The poster recounted an unsettling experience in which Altesa reportedly showed up at their house in Berea, Ohio, behaving erratically and making bizarre accusations against their husband.
“He showed up at my house in Berea acting really strange, calling my husband derogatory names, knew personal information about us, and started reciting Bible verses. Has this happened to anyone else?”
According to the post, local police were contacted, and officers responded to the situation. While authorities obtained Altesa’s license plate number, the post claims law enforcement could not take immediate action because he did not make any direct threats.
Community Concerns Ignored?
The resurfaced social media post has sparked questions about whether warning signs regarding Altesa’s mental state were overlooked in the months leading up to the murder-suicide.
While authorities have not confirmed whether they had prior encounters with Altesa, the details in the Facebook post suggest that at least some individuals in the community had raised red flags about his unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior.
Timeline of Tragedy
Fast forward to March 17, 2025, when police conducted a welfare check at a residence on South Highland Avenue in Akron. Inside a bedroom, officers discovered Jessica Leigh Violand and Elliot Hareem Altesa, both suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled Violand’s death a homicide and Altesa’s a suicide.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting and whether there were any missed opportunities to intervene before the tragedy occurred.
Anyone with additional information about Altesa’s behavior leading up to the incident is encouraged to contact the Akron Police Department.
EARLIER: AKRON, OH – The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Akron Police Department are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that left two people dead inside a home on South Highland Avenue Monday evening.
Authorities say officers were dispatched to the residence around 7:30 p.m. on March 17, 2025, after receiving a request for a welfare check. Upon arrival, first responders made a grim discovery—a 26-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman found inside a bedroom, both suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.
Despite life-saving efforts, both individuals were pronounced dead at 9:03 p.m.. The victims were later identified as:
- Jessica Leigh Violand, 44, of Elyria, who died from a gunshot wound to the head. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
- Elliot Hareem Altesa, 26, of Akron, who also died from a gunshot wound to the head. His death has been ruled a suicide.
Investigation Underway
On March 18, 2025, autopsies were conducted, and authorities notified the victims’ next of kin. Investigators have not released details regarding a potential motive but believe the incident was a domestic-related dispute that ended in tragedy.
Police have not disclosed whether there was a history of domestic issues between the two or if any prior 911 calls had been made from the residence.
Community in Shock
Neighbors and community members expressed shock and sadness upon learning about the fatal incident.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said one neighbor. “You never expect something like this to happen so close to home.”
Friends and family of Jessica Leigh Violand and Elliot Hareem Altesa are now left mourning the devastating loss of two lives.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Akron Police Department.
