OCALA, Fla. — The family of a woman found dead in her prison cell claims they have proof she was killed by a prison guard.
They said their loved one’s death came days after she mailed a letter warning that a prison guard had threatened to kill her.
Latandra Ellington, 36, was found dead in her cell at Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala last October.
Ellington’s family said no one from the Department of Corrections has explained how she was killed.
“She was afraid of being murdered,” said Ellington’s aunt, Algarene Jennings. “I loved my niece.”
Jennings said she believes Ellington was beaten to death and that a prison guard is responsible.
“He told her he would muzzle her like a dog and kill her,” Jennings said.
In the letter she sent to family, Ellington said that guard was Sgt. Patrick Quercioli.
Jennings took the safety concerns to the prison and was promised Ellington would be protected.
“I forewarned them. Less than 18 hours later she was dead,” Jennings said.
A private autopsy paid for by Ellington’s family revealed Ellington was murdered.
“She died from blunt force trauma,” Jennings said.
Ellington’s family said what’s just as troubling as her alleged killing in prison is that she wasn’t the only one.
There were four other suspicious deaths at the prison in 2014.
DOC officials won’t comment due to the ongoing Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.
Channel 9 report Mario Boone still tried to get answers from the warden, Gus Mazarra.
“I don’t know anything about that,” he said.
Quercioli has not been charged in the case, but has been suspended without pay while FDLE investigates.
The family has hired Trayvon Martin’s family’s attorney, Benjamin Crump.