On Tuesday, December 4, Columbia County Sheriff Office Detectives began a homicide investigation into the death of a female who had been discovered in a local motel room.
Deputies had been sent to the Sands Motel at 1600 E Duval Street in unincorporated Lake City to do a welfare check on a female staying in the motel. When the deputies received no answer at the room door, they checked with the neighboring rooms. The neighbors stated they had not seen the occupant, but that was normal as they go days without seeing her. The deputies contacted the management and arranged for the room to be checked.
When the manager unlocked the door, a deceased female identified as Patricia Wood, 60 was found. Deputies noticed trauma of her upper body and immediately secured the scene and notified the detectives. The detectives responded and assumed the investigation. At this time no suspects have been identified and the next of kin has been notified.
Patricia was taken to the ME office in Jacksonville where evidence will be collected and cause of death determined.
This case is active and on-going.
