Man charged in girlfriend’s suicide encouraged her to shoot herself in video, BSO says

A Broward man charged in connection with his girlfriend’s suicide was caught on camera handing her a gun and encouraging her to kill herself just before she took her life, authorities said.

Miguel Hernandez, 41, was arrested Sunday on a manslaughter with a firearm charge in the death of 37-year-old Camille Mary McGonigle, Broward Sheriff’s Office officials said.

The incident happened back on Jan. 24 at a home near the 4000 block of Northeast 8th Avenue in Oakland Park.

Deputies responded and found McGonigle with a gunshot wound to her head, and she died several days later, on Feb. 9, authorities said.

According to an arrest report, Hernandez told investigators McGonigle had grabbed the gun and shot herself.

Hernandez said McGonigle had made suicidal statements in the past and on multiple occasions said she wanted to kill herself, the report said.

But a surveillance camera inside the home captured the incident and showed the two arguing, the report said.

Hernandez is seen racking the slide on the gun and handing it to McGonigle before he yells at her words to the effect of “Go ahead and do it,” and Go ahead and do it, you p—-,” the report said.

According to the report, Hernandez told detectives he was “calling her bluff” and didn’t think she would actually fire the weapon.

In a statement Wednesday, BSO officials said that “…although McGonigle discharged the firearm herself, Hernandez actively facilitated and escalated the incident. The evidence revealed Hernandez racked the slide to chamber a round, handed the firearm to McGonigle, and repeatedly encouraged her to shoot herself immediately prior to the gunshot. Investigators say his actions directly contributed to the circumstances that led to her death.”

Hernandez was booked into jail and prosecutors are seeking to have him kept in jail while he awaits trial.

A hearing in the case was scheduled for Thursday.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.