Florida police are searching for a possible suspect in the triple murder after three teenagers were found dead or dying along a highway north of Orlando.
The two 16-year-old girls and a 17-year-old boy were discovered near Ocklawaha, 60 miles northwest of Orlando.
Layla Silvernail was still alive when she was found shot Thursday night in the head and left in a dumpster near Forest Lakes Park, WCJB reported.
His family have since been told he is brain dead and will be taken off life support, according to a GoFundMe page set up to support them.
A second victim, an unnamed 17-year-old boy, was found Friday morning less than a mile away, shot to death on the side of the road.
The third victim, another 16-year-old girl, was found shot to death Saturday inside Silvernail’s car, which was partially submerged in a lake.
Layla Silvernail, 16, was found Thursday shot in the head and left in a dumpster, but still alive. She has since died, and police have found two other teenage victims, a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, who they believe are connected.
Silvernail was found, still alive, inside this dumpster in Florida
Sheriff Billy Woods said in a video statement posted on Facebook that his team was looking into how the trio was connected.
“My major crime detectives are working 24/7 to continue their murder investigation and diligently pursue all possible leads,” he said.
“We are devastated for the families of these three teens, and we are dedicated to bringing whoever is responsible for these heinous acts to justice.”
Woods also asked anyone with information to come forward.
He also warned against believing the rumors that are circulating, noting that the reports of a fourth victim were not true.
“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 rumours.’
Billy Woods, the Marion County Sheriff, requested information to find the killer or killers.
Silvernail was described by her friends and family 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 women’s softball league wrote on the fundraising page.
“She is the definition of an incredible team player and athlete,” they said.
‘She loved the game of softball, she was a great pitcher and could play any position her team needed. She cheered on all of her teammates!
She was taken from us too soon and we will miss her so much.
