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  • Slain Palatka Grandmother Remembered

    Sheriff's Office: 66-Year-Old Was Strangled

    Published On: Oct 14 2011 02:32:28 PM EDT  Updated On: Apr 20 2009 09:27:06 AM EDT
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    PALATKA, Fla. -

    Friends and family gathered Sunday afternoon and Monday morning to remember 66-year-old Helen Googe, who was found dead in her home Wednesday.

    Shortly after Googe's funeral, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office released information about how the Palatka grandmother was killed, saying she was strangled.

    "She was a sweet, wonderful woman," said Googe's nephew, Kristofer Key. "I don't think anyone ever went hungry around her, be it a person or animal or even a squirrel. She was just that king of person -- sweet as an angel. She certainly did not deserve to go out like this."

    Services began for Googe just one day after two Putnam County Jail escapees accused of killing her were captured. One of the fugitives, Timothy Fletcher, was Googe's step grandson.

    According to the sheriff's office, Doni Ray Brown and Fletcher forced their way into Googe's home through a fireplace woodbox that opened to the outside of the house, as well as to the inside of the home. Deputies said at some point Googe was awakened and Brown and Fletcher killed her by strangling her with their hands.

    Evidence at the scene indicated that Googe fought with her attackers, but was ultimately subdued and strangled, according to investigators. They said Brown and Fletcher changed clothes while at Googe's home and took their jail clothes with them along about $37 in cash, a few pieces of jewelry and a .22-caliber handgun from Goog'e home.

    Brown and Fletcher were arrested about 6 p.m. Saturday near the Pamona Park Flea Market. Within hours they were charged with murder in Googe's death.

    Putnam County Sheriff's Office said the two stole several cars -- including Googe's -- and made it as far as Kentucky and Tennessee before returning to the area.

    On Monday, family said Googe's injuries were so horrific that an open casket was not an option for the visitation.

    Googe's niece, Candice Ward described Googe as a "loving, caring person."

    Googe's family did not mince words when talking about the two men accused of killing her.

    "Both of them are evil pieces of human garbage," said Kristofer Key, Googe's nephew. "Give them enough time with life in prison they could probably get out again and kill someone again. Those two are too dangerous to let live."

    Googe's funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Johnson Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.

    Previous Stories:

    • April 19, 2009: Recaptured Inmates Charged With Murder
    • April 18, 2009: Putnam Escapees Captured, To Be Charged With Murder
    • April 17, 2009: US Marshals Join Search For Putnam Fugitives
    • April 16, 2009: Escapees Connected To Slaying May Be In Kentucky
    • April 15 2009: Manhunt Continues For Jail Escapees
    • Copyright 2011 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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