LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A missing person investigation in Mount Dora turned into a homicide case after deputies found a woman dead inside her vehicle and later discovered the man identified as the suspect dead inside his home, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were called to a residence in the area of Bay Road around 5:38 p.m. Aug. 12 after family members reported they could not reach the woman and were unable to locate her.
When deputies arrived, they found the woman’s vehicle and noticed evidence that immediately raised concerns.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies observed a bullet hole in the passenger-side window and blood inside the vehicle. As they continued searching the vehicle, they found the woman dead in the rear hatchback area underneath a blanket.
Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau, Crime Scene Investigations Unit and Aviation Unit responded to assist with the investigation.
As investigators canvassed the neighborhood and interviewed family members and nearby residents, they learned the woman had been involved in an ongoing dispute with a male neighbor over property lines, the sheriff’s office said.
The neighbor was subsequently identified as a suspect. Investigators observed the man’s vehicle parked in his driveway and attempted to contact him at his residence, but received no response.
Detectives later obtained a search warrant for the home and requested assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.
When deputies entered the residence, they found the suspect dead from what the sheriff’s office described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In an update Friday, the sheriff’s office identified the suspect as Mathew Devivo, 56, of Mount Dora.
Authorities have not released the name of the female victim.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. The sheriff’s office said body-worn camera footage and investigative reports are not yet available for release, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
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