New Details Revealed in Florida Carjacking, Murder Case

Last year, a Florida woman was carjacked, abducted, and later found dead in her burnt vehicle, which investigators now say is because she was carrying $170,000 in drug money for her estranged husband’s money laundering operation.

Key Takeaways

Katherine Aguasvivas was allegedly targeted specifically for the $170,000 in drug money she was transporting as part of a larger laundering operation.
She was carjacked in broad daylight near Winter Springs and forced to drive at gunpoint through multiple counties before being killed.
Her estranged husband, Miguel Aguasvivas, was under DEA investigation for laundering money for a Colombian drug cartel.
Six people are currently in jail awaiting trial for her murder and related charges.
Miguel faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine after being charged with and pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

A Targeted Abduction for Drug Money

Federal authorities have revealed shocking new details in the case of Katherine Aguasvivas, who was carjacked near Winter Springs in April 2024 before being abducted and killed. The violent crime has since been exposed as a calculated attack by conspirators who knew exactly what she was carrying, according to prosecutors. US Attorney Roger Handberg stated that Aguasvivas was specifically targeted for the substantial amount of drug money in her possession.

According to court documents, Aguasvivas had made at least ten previous trips to Central Florida for similar purposes. On the day of her abduction, she was actually filling in for someone else who was originally scheduled to transport the money. The perpetrators allegedly forced her at gunpoint to drive through multiple counties before ultimately killing her and setting her vehicle ablaze in Osceola County in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Federal prosecutors have revealed that Miguel Aguasvivas has agreed to plead guilty to money laundering. Authorities said his wife, Katherine Aguasvivas, was carjacked and killed last year as a result of his actions. https://t.co/RKSwUhYIMl

— FOX 35 Orlando (@fox35orlando) April 10, 2025

The Extensive Money Laundering Operation

Katherine’s involvement in the criminal enterprise reportedly stemmed from her relationship with her estranged husband, Miguel Aguasvivas. Federal court filings reveal that Miguel was already under investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration for operating a sophisticated money laundering scheme that moved drugs and money throughout South and Central Florida. The operation allegedly serviced a Colombian drug cartel, with Miguel converting cash proceeds into cryptocurrency to further obscure the origins of the funds.

Though separated from her husband at the time of her death, Katherine had become entangled in his illegal activities. The $170,000 she was transporting when abducted was reportedly intended for delivery to Miguel’s laundering operation. Investigators believe the conspirators who targeted her had inside knowledge of these deliveries, allowing them to plan the exact time and location of the abduction to maximize their chances of stealing the drug money.

Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation

Six individuals have been arrested and are currently awaiting trial for Katherine’s murder and associated charges. Meanwhile, Miguel Aguasvivas has been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. He just pleaded guilty to the charge and faces up to 20 years in federal prison and fines that could reach $500,000. The investigation has revealed the expansive nature of the drug trafficking and money laundering network operating throughout Florida.

The case highlights the violent realities often hidden beneath the surface of drug trafficking operations. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate other potential connections to this criminal network, suggesting more arrests could follow. For residents of Central Florida, the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous criminal enterprises that sometimes operate in otherwise peaceful communities, and the devastating consequences when drug money, betrayal, and violence intersect.