LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A Mount Dora man was found dead inside his vehicle Wednesday evening, and investigators believe an ongoing dispute with a neighbor may be connected to the homicide, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded around 5:38 p.m. Aug. 12 to a home in the Bay Road area after a family member reported the victim missing and said they had been unable to reach him.
When deputies arrived, they found signs of violence involving the victim’s vehicle. Investigators said a bullet hole was visible through the passenger-side window, and blood was found inside the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered the victim dead in the rear hatchback area beneath a blanket.
Detectives from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau, Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and Aviation Unit responded to assist with the investigation.
Detectives learned the victim had an ongoing property dispute with a neighbor after canvassing the neighborhood and interviewing family and neighbors.
Investigators identified the neighbor as a suspect and found the suspect’s vehicle parked in the driveway of his home. Deputies attempted to contact the suspect but received no response.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s home, which the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team executed. They found the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The identities of the victim and suspect have not been released.
The investigation is ongoing. Sheriff’s officials said body-worn camera footage and reports are not yet available for release. More information will be released when available.
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