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A US man has been arrested after shooting his wife then posting a gruesome picture of her dead body on Facebook.

Derek Medina, 31, also wrote a message appearing to confess to murdering wife Jennifer Alfonso, 26, before handing himself into police.

The graphic image shows a blood-soaked woman slumped on the floor with the macabre caption "RIP Jennifer Alfonso".

Shortly before the photograph was uploaded, Medina updated his status saying: "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.

"My wife was punching me and I am not going to stand anymore with the abuse so I did what I did I hope u understand me." (sic)

(Image: Facebook)

(Image: Facebook)

Medina is now being quizzed by detectives in Miami after turning himself in on Thursday morning, hours after the shooting.

Police then discovered Ms Alfonso's body at the couple's home at 5555 SW 67th Avenue.

Medina's 10-year-old daughter was also found unharmed at the property and was seen being led away by officers wrapped in a red blanket.

Medina's Facebook page showing the picture of his dead wife was up for around five hours before being taken down later on Thursday.

(Image: Facebook)

(Image: Getty)

Beneath the photo - which was shared 170 times before the page was closed down - were comments from people who appeared to be friends with the dead woman.

"That is my friend there, Jennifer Alfonso," one woman wrote.

Another asked: "What happened?"

Medina's father, Derek Medina Sr, spoke to local media saying his son had killed his wife after a violent domestic dispute.

"He just said that his wife picked up a knife on him, and they had a big fight, and he shot her," Medina said.

(Image: Facebook)

Following his arrest, it emerged that Medina once penned a series of self-help books, including one entitled: "How I Saved Someone's Life and Marriage and Family Problems Thru Communication."

Medina was described as a self-appointed neighbourhood watchman who patrolled the area with a concealed gun, according to local residents.

"He walks around with a concealed gun, so he tries to be the neighborhood watch guy," neighbor Yoshi Dade told NBC Miami.

"He's always there late (at) night, and he's weird to me. He's always kind of looking around and trying to be a hero."