Sheriff: Public help needed in girl’s death probe
MIAMI (AP) – In an emotional letter released Wednesday, the mother of a slain Orange Park girl thanked everyone who donated money, time and services to the grieving family.
“Because of all this support, I know I’ll be able to take the time to heal and to help my children heal from this traumatic life event,” said Diena Thompson, the mother of 7-year-old Somer Thompson. “I have never felt the embrace of a community, until now.”
Somer disappeared more than a week ago as she was walking home from school in her northeast Florida community; her body was found in a Georgia landfill some 50 miles away. No one has been charged in her death.
The little girl was buried Tuesday. Somer, who has three siblings including a twin brother, loved to dance, play dress up, draw and color.
Thompson said the Clay County Sheriff’s office has “spared no expense” in searching for her daughter, and now, the killer.
“Deputies and detectives have been at my side and cried with me,” she wrote.
Thompson toured the Sheriff’s Office operations center Wednesday and met the local, state and federal agents working on the case.
Also on Wednesday, Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler said detectives want to talk to people who may be associated with the person responsible for Somer’s death but don’t realize it.
“We have reason to believe there are individuals in the community who have information pertinent to this case who have not come forward,” Beseler said. “People who may know or associate with the offender.”
Beseler asked the public’s assistance in identifying people who may have exhibited certain changes or unexplained behaviors.
He listed some of the behaviors, including leaving the area unexpectedly, missing work or routine engagements, having unexplained injuries and having an unnatural interest in the status of the investigation.
The sheriff also said suspicious vehicle activity – such as a person no longer operating their personal or work vehicle for no obvious reason – should be noted.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Clay Sheriff’s Tips Line at 1-877-227-6911.
Authorities investigated about 1,900 leads – including some 200 calls Wednesday – but have not named any suspects or people of interest.