Local

Gruesome details released in Lake County girl's slaying

BUSHNELL, Fla. — A manhunt continued Thursday for the 35-year-old Bushnell man who Sumter County deputies said killed a teenage girl from Lake County.

Investigators said Larry Peavy beat Aleaya Jackson and sexually assaulted another 16-year-old girl after he brought them to a Bushnell home Saturday for a party.

Deputies said Jackson's body was found Sunday in that Bushnell home. Her cause of
death hasn't been released.

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Peavy drove the surviving victim to Tavares, where she called detectives, deputies said.

According to a sealed warrant that was leaked, the surviving victim said all three were smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol. The surviving victim said Peavy tried to get her to take ectasy, the warrant said.

Peavy tried to have sex with the surviving victim, even offering to pay, but she refused, the warrant said.

At one point, Peavy tried to tape the surviving victim's mouth shut while she was sleeping, but she said she fought him off and Jackson came to her defense, the warrant said.

Peavy left the room, so the girls locked the door and barricaded it shut, but he later broke through the door, the warrant said. Peavy tied up the girl's wrists, gagged Jackson and put tape over her mouth, the warrant said.

Peavy is accused of choking Jackson until she passed out, and threatening the surviving victim with a box cutter, the warrant said.

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Investigators said Peavy drove to his sister's Fort Pierce home before being picked up by a friend, who they believe drove him to Fort Lauderdale. U.S. marshals will continue to search for him Thursday.

The family of the surviving victim said they're receiving death threat and that Tavares police have had to step up patrols for the family.

"We have to be prayed up, we have to stand up and don't shut up," a pastor said at the vigil. "I just want justice for her."

After the service, the group gathered to pray beneath a tree across from the South Pine Street home, where Jackson's body was found.

Deputies said Peavy is wanted on murder and sexual assault charges, among others. They said that he is armed and dangerous.

There have been reports of Peavy sightings in Leesburg, Casselberry and in Martin County, but he remains on the loose.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Sumter County Sheriff's Office at 352-793-2621 or Crimeline at 800-423-8477.