SANFORD, Fla. — Two men were arrested after a woman was found unresponsive in a Sanford apartment complex Tuesday afternoon.
Police said the accused killers lived in the unit and kept the slain woman's body in a closet.
Management of the Hatteras Sound Apartments did a well-being check on a resident of the complex, which was requested by Latrice Randolph's mother, after two suspicious men were reported inside.
The victim's mother said she was concerned because she had not seen her daughter since Sunday. She said she received texts from her daughter's phone, but it didn't sound like her daughter.
"I think that what alarmed her is that one of the text messages indicated that she was going to Tallahassee. Well because they had prior arrangements, that is where she was a little confused and was like, 'I don't think this is my daughter that I am speaking to,'" Ronny Neal of the Sanford Police Department said.
Police said the victim's mother and sister would text Randolph, "What her sister's middle name was" as a security question to make sure she was OK. Police said Randolph had a learning disability that the men may have taken advantage of.
Management entered the apartment and the two men fled on foot. Police said Randolph was found in a closet, wrapped in a blanket and had suffered stab wounds.
"They decided to do a well-being check, so they took their key, went over there and opened the door and two men were inside," Neal said.
The suspects were found in a wooded area and were later identified as Jeremiah Elliott and Jimmie Elliott. Randolph was taken to a hospital and died from her injuries.
Police said they obtained evidence which led to the arrest of Jeremiah and Jimmie Elliott. Police said they had been living there for a couple of days.
Jimmie Elliott was charged with first-degree premeditated homicide and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence. Jeremiah Elliott was charged with obstructing justice and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence.
The suspects are being held without bond.
Cox Media Group
