Two named persons of interest after slain elderly woman found in burned home

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Sheriff's investigators named two inmates as persons of interest in the slaying of an 83-year-old woman.

Elena Ortega was killed in her Conway home in September and investigators said her house was set on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime.

Investigators have not yet made an arrest in Ortega's slaying, but on Wednesday they named Juan Rosario and Sean Quinn as persons of interest in the Ortega's death.

Investigators said Rosario was recently convicted in a violent home invasion robbery that happened not far from Ortega's home. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Investigators said Quinn is set for trial in the same incident.

"The second person of interest is currently incarcerated and awaiting trial for the same case Juan Rosario was convicted on," said Detective Ben Thorpe with the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said they don't have solid evidence connecting the men to the slaying of Ortega.

They said that for the last few months Rosario had a stranglehold over the community, threatening anyone who cooperated with deputies.

Now that Rosario is behind bars for several years, Thorpe said investigators are pleading with the community to offer up tips on the Ortega's death.

The CrimeLine reward in the case remains in effect at $19,000, deputies said. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477) or the Orange County Sheriff's Office at 407-836-HELP (4357).

Previous Story: Orange County neighborhood holds vigil to remember elderly woman murdered in home

WFTV