Federal immigration authorities have placed a detainer on a Haitian national accused of killing his aunt and attacking another family member inside a Southwest Florida home late last month.

Whycliff Longin faces multiple felony charges in Lee County, including homicide, attempted homicide, sexual battery, and burglary with battery, following his arrest on August 27 in Lehigh Acres.

Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance call at a local duplex, where they discovered the body of Amadette Longin. According to investigators, a second woman in the home had called 911 after waking up to a man on top of her attempting to strangle her.

She managed to break free, barricaded herself inside a bathroom, and contacted emergency dispatchers. Family members later identified the deceased victim as the suspect’s aunt and the surviving victim as his cousin.

Deputies took Longin into custody at the scene. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer with the Lee County Jail that same day.

Federal officials stated that Longin originally entered the United States unlawfully through Florida in 2024 before being released into the country under the Biden administration.

“This illegal alien from Haiti is charged with homicide, attempted homicide, sexual battery, and burglary with a battery after allegedly killing a woman and attempting to strangle another woman to death,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin in a statement released Wednesday. “This dangerous illegal alien should have never been allowed into our country in the first place. If it weren’t for the Biden Administration’s reckless open-border policies, Amadette Longin would still be alive. ICE has lodged a detainer and will work with our partners in Florida to make sure this killer is never released onto our streets ever again.”Longin remains held in custody in Lee County pending further court proceedings. An ICE detainer requests that local law enforcement notify federal authorities prior to a detainee’s potential release so immigration officials can take custody.