Uber Eats driver killed, dismembered by MS-13 member mourned by household: ‘Most excellent man’
The devastated family members of the Florida Uber Eats driver who was slain by an MS-13 member last week remembered him because the “most excellent man” and “such a cheerful man” who was working laborious to assist his household’s desires of dwelling by the ocean.
Randall “Randy” Cooke’s stepdaughter Melany Dzoba remembered the retiree in an interview with information station WFTS on Tuesday as “probably the most excellent man” and companion to her mom.
“[He was] such a cheerful man. I imply, all of us undergo our ups and downs. We’re all nonetheless human, however he simply — he was all the time simply so comfortable and simply making an attempt to have enjoyable and chortle — on a regular basis,” she advised the outlet.
Pasco County police mentioned Cooke, 59, was “yanked” into the Vacation dwelling of parolee Oscar Solis whereas finishing his final meals supply on the evening of April 19.
Cooke’s dismembered stays have been subsequently found in trash baggage that Solis, 30, and one other particular person faraway from the residence, Sheriff Chris Nocco mentioned.
Cooke’s blood and his marriage ceremony ring was additionally discovered within the dwelling.
Melany mentioned Cooke met her mom in 2012, and the “excellent” couple tied the knot in 2020.
“[It was] a relationship I might all the time hope for,” she defined.
“Simply conjoined on the hip. Soulmates till the very finish.”
Melany added that Cooke was additionally a loving and supportive stepfather.
“I nonetheless have a voicemail on my telephone from final Monday of simply his voice and him telling me how a lot he loves me and the way a lot he’s there for me,” she mentioned.
Cooke’s different stepdaughter, Brittany Dzoba, told FOX 35 that Cooke moved to Paso from Seminole County final yr to be nearer to the ocean.
A graphic designer by commerce, the proud patriarch ran Uber Eats deliveries to assist his household’s dream of dwelling close to the coast.
“I really like my mother to demise and I hate to see her like this,” she mentioned tearfully.
“Simply figuring out that she has to return dwelling daily to her husband not there. They shared so many wonderful reminiscences collectively.”
Police are nonetheless making an attempt to ascertain a motive for Solis, who has been charged with homicide.
The strip membership safety guard lately moved to Florida in January when he was paroled after serving 4 years in an Indiana jail for assault and housebreaking.
Solis was affiliated with MS-13 in Indiana, authorities mentioned, and has a prolonged rap sheet that additionally included resisting arrest and a cost for stabbing a fellow inmate in jail.
“You’re speaking a few violent person who Indiana launched and despatched all the way down to Florida,” Nocco mentioned on the press convention.
“Sadly, now we’ve got a hardworking man, a loving husband, who’s not with us as a result of this violent particular person killed him,” he added of the “demonic” crime.
Cooke’s family members are equally baffled by the seemingly random killing.
“There’s no method somebody of their proper thoughts did one thing like this. I imply, it doesn’t make sense. The minor particulars aren’t including up,” Melany insisted.
“What’s the motive? What’s he making an attempt to get out of it? For enjoyable for him for a few hours? That’s not enjoyable, you took someone’s life away,” Brittany mentioned.
A GoFundMe set as much as assist Cooke’s household cope with bills raised virtually $18,000 in simply two days because the group rallies within the face of the tragedy.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Workplace didn’t instantly reply to The Submit’s request for remark.