SEFFNER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Seffner woman as a homicide.
On Thursday, dispatchers received a call at 1:15 a.m. from someone who did not speak to them. Deputies were sent out to Orange Street in Seffner to investigate.
When they arrived, deputies discovered the body of a woman “with severe upper body trauma” in her vehicle. Investigators believe she was murdered.
“I’m saddened by the viciousness of this crime to a woman who was just getting home after a long day,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Our detectives are working diligently to find the person who committed this cold-blooded murder and ensure the victim’s family sees justice for their loved one.”
The vehicle appeared to be damaged, according to deputies. Detectives are working to figure out if the damage is related to the death, or if it was pre-existing.
Based on their initial investigation, the sheriff’s office believes this was not a random act and there is no threat to the public.
Paris Dube is the grandmother of one of the victim’s young children and lives near where the victim was found.
“I don’t care how bad life gets, I don’t care what people are trying to do to you, you don’t kill people you just don’t,” Dube said.
Dube says the victim is in her early 20s.
“Now we got two little boys that have no idea, and that will never know their mother,” she said.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (813) 247-8200. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS.