Three teens from tiny Florida town of 1,500 were shot dead within 5-mile radius in less than 48hrs but cops RULE OUT serial killer: Boy is discovered at roadside, girl is found inside submerged car and another girl in a dumpster
- Two 16-year-old girls and a 17-year-old boy have been found by police in Ocklawaha, Florida – 60 miles north west of Orlando
- The first 16-year-old, Layla Silvernail, was discovered still alive on Thursday night, shot in the head: her life support machine is now being switched off
- The 17-year-old boy was found hours later several miles down the road, and the second teenage girl was found on Saturday inside Silvernail’s submerged car
Three teenagers were shot dead in a five-mile radius within less than 48 hours, but cops today ruled out a serial killer as the tiny Florida town reeled from the killings.
Two 16-year-old girls and a 17-year-old boy were discovered dumped in three separate locations in Ocklawaha. The case is being probed as a triple homicide by Marion County Sheriff’s Office which said it is an ‘isolated incident.’ While cops have ruled out a serial killer, they have provided no further details on suspects or motive.
Layla Silvernail, 16, was still alive when she was found on Thursday night shot in the head and left in a dumpster near Forest Lakes Park, WCJB reported. Her family said she was declared brain dead, and has since been taken off life support, according to a GoFundMe page.
A second victim, an unnamed 17-year-old boy, was found Friday morning less than a mile away, lying by the side of the road. The third victim, another 16-year-old girl, was found Saturday inside Silvernail’s car, which was partially submerged in a pond.
The names of the other two teens have not been released because their families have enacted their right of Marsy’s Law, which allows crime victims or their families to request their names be withheld from public documents.
Layla Silvernail, 16, was found on Thursday shot in the head and left in a dumpster, but still alive. She has since died, and police have found two more teenage victims – one 17-year-old boy, and another 16-year-old girl – who they believe are connected
Silvernail was found, still alive, inside this dumpster in Marion, County Florida
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a video statement posted to Facebook that his team were investigating how the trio were connected.
‘My Major Crimes Detectives are working 24/7 to continue their murder investigation and diligently track down every possible lead,’ he said.
‘We are devastated for the families of these three teenagers, and we are dedicated to bringing whoever is responsible for these atrocious acts to justice.’
Woods also asked anyone with any information to come forward.
He cautioned about believing rumors circulating – noting that reports of a fourth victim were not true. He also said that the idea there is a serial killer out there is ‘far from the truth.’
‘I know this is a very close community and many of you are very concerned,’ he said.
‘Someone out there knows something. We want you to have truthful information and not rumors.’
The sheriff’s office did not offer any further details or information about a possible motive in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Silvernail was described by her friends and relatives as a talented softball player
Silvernail was described by her friends and relatives as a talented softball player.
Silvernail’s family decided to donate her organs ‘so she can help others in the wake of this tragedy,’ the girl’s softball league wrote on the fundraising page.
‘She is the definition of a team player and an amazing athlete,’ they said.
‘She loved the game of softball, was a great pitcher and could play any position her team needed. She uplifted all of her teammates!
‘She has been taken from us too soon and will be greatly missed.’
