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Questions remain in 83-year-old woman's killing

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — There are new developments in the killing of an 83-year-old Orange County woman.

Detectives said they have new leads in the case, a week after finding Elena Ortega's body inside her burning home.

Officers said two people of interest were arrested on charges unrelated to the case.

Ortega was found dead in her home Sept. 18. Investigators said she was killed that day and then her home was set on fire to cover up the homicide.

"To do this to this lady, she didn't deserve it. She was a beautiful lady," said neighbor Sarah Collins.

The Sheriff's Office said it also tracked down the red Dodge Neon investigators have been searching for since the crime occurred.

Neighbors told Channel 9 that Juan Rosario, 26, who also goes by the name Neto, was picked up in connection with a violent crime that happened just doors down from where 83-year-old Elena Ortega was slain.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office won't say whether or not Rosario is one of the people they're questioning about Ortega murder.

The crime Rosario is charged with happened March, just a few houses down from where Otega's home.

According to Sheriff's reports, Rosario and another man broke into a home, held two men at gunpoint, pistol whipped and robbed them.

According to reports, Rosario's victim only came forward after Ortega's slaying, saying he now felt obligated to now try and put Rosario behind bars, but he initially didn't want to testify.

Rosario record shows he's been arrested several times since 2008 for similar crimes, some in the same neighborhood.

"When this happened this person's name was the first to come out of everybody's lips," said resident Diana Yoder.

But people in Ortega's neighborhood said they hope the arrests bring closure to their community.

"If it's proven to be them, then yeah, it makes me feel a lot safer knowing that they're caught," said Rodriguez.

The Sheriff's Office said the persons of interest are cooperating with investigators.

Investigators are still asking that anyone with information about the case call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477) or the Orange County Sheriff's Office at 407-836-HELP (4357).

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