Suvechha Sarkar
Aileen Chantel Seiden was a loving sister and a kind-hearted woman. However, her beautiful life came to an abrupt halt in April 2018 when her remains were found off a highway in Apalachicola, Florida. Her untimely demise left not only her loved ones seeking justice but also the entire community completely stunned. CBS’ ’48 Hours: Who Killed Aileen Seiden in Room 15?’ explores the details of the crime and the swift investigation that revealed a shocking conspiracy fueled by a love triangle. It also features interviews with her loved ones and the officials who worked on the case diligently to help serve justice.
Aileen Seiden’s Remains Were Found Off a Highway in Florida
Aileen Chantel Seiden was born in August 1986 and arrived as a ray of sunshine in the lives of her parents, Murtha and Frank M. Seiden, a renowned Miami businessman. She grew up in Miami, Florida, surrounded by the unwavering love and support of her parents and her two older sisters, Franceasca and Deborah Seiden. However, tragedy struck when her mother passed away due to cancer during Aileen’s fourth grade. At just 14 years of age, she unfortunately also lost her father to a heart attack. Her older sister, Franceasca, who was then 22 years old, became Aileen’s legal guardian and guided her through every step of her life. She grew up to be a kind and loving person. Aileen embraced her independent lifestyle in Miami by becoming a Property Manager and owning her own apartment.
Aileen visited Franceasca, who had moved to Los Angeles, California, in 2016. After she returned to Miami from her extended visit, she reconnected with her teenage acquaintance, Zachary R Abell, AKA Zach. They began secretly dating because he was also in a relationship with Christina M Araujo. Since Christina was also his business partner at his used-car dealership, Abell Automotive, he could not break up with her despite pressure from Aileen. In 2017, she unexpectedly lost her job and began working at Abell Automotive. That was when Zach wanted to cut ties with Christina, but she suggested they become a throuple. Although Aileen was reluctant about the proposal, she eventually accepted. Everything was going well until her life turned upside down on April 22, 2018.
The following day, a couple fishing at a pond off Highway 98 in Eastpoint, Florida, spotted Aileen’s remains and promptly called 911. When officials arrived, they discovered that her remains were badly bruised, with lacerations on her face, stomach, and legs. They got a call from the Sportsman’s Lodge Motel in Apalachicola in Franklin County, Florida, where a housekeeper had discovered blood in room 15. Upon inspection, detectives found a large amount of blood on the mattress along with a scent of vinegar, which they deduced was from an attempt to clean up the crime scene. The room was in disarray, and a luminol test revealed traces of blood all over the bathroom. They retrieved a palm print from the shower curtain rod, indicating it might have been the murder weapon. The blood found in the room matched Aileen’s DNA. The autopsy determined her cause of death to be from blunt-force trauma that caused massive internal hemorrhaging.
A Dysfunctional Throuple Relationship Led to Aileen Seiden’s Untimely Demise
After investigators identified Aileen’s remains, they also discovered that she had booked room 15 of the motel along with Zach and Christina. Upon speaking with her best friend and sister, Franceasca, they uncovered the tumultuous relationship of the throuple. Their relationship had become quite abusive, with Christina and Aileen often getting into fights. Although she had moved in with Zach and Christina, she was tired and had decided to move out. However, the plan came to a halt on April 7, 2018. Zach and Christina had a violent fight, following which Aileen had to take Zach and drive away for an impromptu road trip. However, Christina reportedly sent threatening messages to them. Forty-eight hours later, Zach also invited Christina since she had a change of heart.
By Day 10 of their road trip, Aileen called her sister Franceasca, expressing her fear that Zach and Christina may kill her. Despite the advice to reach out for help from her sister, she disconnected the call. Police retrieved CCTV footage, which showed that they arrived at Franklin County on the evening of April 21, 2018. They reportedly had dinner at a restaurant, partied, and then checked into the hotel. The following day, they chose to extend their stay. Investigators found another surveillance footage that captured them buying large bottles of vodka and whiskey from a nearby liquor store. That day, Aileen had called her best friend, stating that she needed to leave the throuple relationship. Her best friend informed the officials that they had even made an escape plan, where she was supposed to catch a bus from Tampa, Florida.
Aileen Seiden’s Killers Were Brought to Justice Six Years Later
On April 23, 2018, Zach and Christina visited their friend, Mike Picavet’s, house nearby. When Mike questioned Aileen’s whereabouts, Christina claimed she had run away. Shortly after, Zach broke down, stating that Aileen had died and that Christina had killed her. He claimed that he was sleeping, and when he woke up, he found her dead beside him. He continued that he tried to give Aileen CPR, but Christina asked him not to do so or even call 911. He alleged that he was afraid she would get violent if he did anything. According to statements made to police, Christina allegedly claimed that her father, Colonel Tony Araujo, held a position of influence and could help her with legal problems. When they fell asleep, Mike contacted Tony, who brought him to the sheriff’s office for his formal statement.
Mike was shown Aileen’s picture, and he then formally identified her. He reportedly led the officials to his home, where Zach and Christina were both arrested on April 24, 2018, and they were charged with first-degree murder. The palm print found on the shower curtain matched Zach’s. Furthermore, after the crime was committed, CCTV captured Christina driving the car. They also discovered a broken wooden walking stick in the vehicle with Aileen’s DNA. In 2023, Christina pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder and agreed to testify against Zach during his trial. In January 2024, the trial of Zach began, where he faced charges of first-degree murder. However, he pleaded not guilty and did not testify during his trial. During her testimony, Christina claimed that Zach had attacked Aileen in a state of rage, influenced by alcohol.
Christina alleged that she did not commit the murder and had only helped Zach cover up the crime. After deliberation, the jury ultimately found Zach guilty of second-degree murder and obstruction of criminal investigation in January 2024. He was sentenced to life in prison for murder and five years for obstruction on April 10, 2024. On the other hand, Christina was also found guilty of second-degree murder and obstruction of a criminal investigation. She received a 25-year sentence for the murder charge and a five-year sentence for the second charge on June 7, 2024. As of writing, Zach is serving his time at Okaloosa Correctional Institution in Crestview, Florida. Christina is currently incarcerated at Homestead Correctional Institution FDC in Homestead, Florida. Her scheduled release date is January 14, 2043, at which time she will likely be 63 years old.
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