Man Who Posted Dead Wife's Photo on Facebook Wanted to be Famous

Derek Medina, the man from South Florida who killed his wife and posted a photograph of her dead body on his Facebook account, wanted to be famous.

A Mail Online report claims the 31-year-old was part of the American show Burn Notice, in which he played the role of an armed and violent gang member. And it appears he was inordinately proud of that role, with one Facebook video post reading:

"Put on USA, I'm coming out on the episode right now. I'm on USA. I'm going to come out soon. This is the episode that I filmed. That's me right there! You saw me?"

Medina is believed to have killed his wife, Jennifer Alonso, 26, on Thursday morning. He then updated his Facebook status with a confession, writing:

"I'm going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife love you guys miss you guys take care Facebook people you will see me in the news."

He then posted a photograph of the body with the caption: "Rip Jennifer Alfonso."

The Miami Herald says he then surrendered himself to police that afternoon; he was driven to the police station by his father, Derek Medina Sr. The report further adds Medina is likely to claim self-defence, following a Facebook post (after the death of his wife) that says "my wife was punching me and I'm not going to stand anymore with the abuse so I did what I did".

In an interview with local station WSVN, the father said Medina came to him and explained the situation, saying, "He just said that his wife picked up a knife on him, and they had a big fight, and he shot her."

Reports also say there was considerable stress in the marriage, with accusations of physical abuse from both sides. The victim, who was a waitress at a local restaurant, would often "be bruised up", according to co-workers.

"He would always come back, begging her ... come back," another co-worker, Cathy LaBella, said, "She would say he was going to change. She was in love with him. He wouldn't even let her talk on the phone."

Medina is also believed to be the author of several online books, including some on hunting ghosts... a passion he shared with his dead wife.

Jennifer Alonso was last active on Facebook on Wednesday when she changed her profile photograph to one of Medina and her kissing. Facebook has since deleted the account of Derek Medina.

Police investigations continue.