Man accused of killing 2 Fort Myers women back in court Thursday

Rolbert Joachin, who is accused of murdering two women in Fort Myers, is scheduled for a case management hearing Thursday to address legal questions and determine next steps in both cases. Investigators say Joachin strangled 28-year-old Julia Curvo back in January and left her body along Hough Street near downtown Fort Myers. Detectives later identified Joachin as a suspect and interviewed him during the investigation. Months later, Joachin was accused of killing 51-year-old Nilufa Easmin in April. Police say surveillance video shows Joachin attacking Easmin with a hammer outside a gas station on MLK Junior Boulevard. Following a multi-hour manhunt, police arrested Joachin. Detectives say Joachin admitted he went to the store intending to kill Easmin. Joachin is charged with first-degree murder in Easmin’s death. The state has filed notice of its intent to seek the death penalty. Joachin’s defense team is challenging a 2025 Florida law that requires people in the country illegally who are convicted of first-degree murder to be sentenced to death. The defense argues the law is unconstitutional. The state disagrees, stating the law requires a judge to impose a death sentence only after a jury recommends it. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.