Body Burned Near Skyway Is Missing Hillsborough Woman: Police

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — What started as St. Pete police investigating a burned body that was found in a grassy area that had caught fire Wednesday evening near the Skyway Bridge, and St. Pete Fire Rescue responded to, a Town 'N' Country woman was reported missing by her family at the same time, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

According to authorities, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, deputies went to the Beach Walk Condominiums, 4349 Bayside Village Drive, Town 'N' Country, to investigate reports of a missing woman in her 30s who worked as a security guard at the apartment complex. Her family told police she had not returned home at her usual time. Investigators found the victim's car in the parking lot of the complex. Based on preliminary investigative details, detectives believe the burned body found in St. Petersburg was the missing Town 'N' Country woman.

"Our detectives have identified a person of interest, and are working to piece together this heinous crime," Sheriff Chronister said. "We are urging anyone who may have seen something suspicious, to please come forward. The more details we have, the faster we can make an arrest."

Anyone with information can call HCSO at 813-247-8200.

Original Patch Story:

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A burned body was discovered by a St. Petersburg Fire Rescue crew Wednesday night in a grassy area near the Skyway Bridge, St. Petersburg police said.

The crew was called out to a grass fire in a wooded area near the rest area just before the Skyway Bridge, investigators said. When the fire was out, they saw the burned body and called St. Pete Police at about 8 p.m.

Forensic technicians worked throughout the night to collect evidence.

This is a developing story. Patch will keep you updated.