Police swarm Moncrief home where woman found dead

Foul play suspected, Jacksonville detectives say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police swarmed a Northwest Jacksonville house Tuesday night where a 61-year-old woman's body was found Monday afternoon, telling News4Jax that a possible suspect in her murder might have returned to the home.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office identified the woman Tuesday as Cassandra Valentin.

Officers went to the home on Frank E Avenue, near the intersection of Moncrief Road and Edgewood Avenue West, about 4:30 p.m. Monday to conduct a welfare check, police said.

Valentin's body was found inside.

Homicide detectives said they suspect foul play and are investigating Valentin's death as a murder.

About 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, five police cruisers pulled up to the home and armed officers walked up to the house. Our crew was advised to leave the area.

We later saw a JSO helicopter flying over the neighborhood.

So far, no arrest has been made in Valentin's murder.

Valentin, who'd had a cosmetology license since 1988, and was called "Sandy," was a calm, sweet woman who was a good friend, her loved ones said.

"She was very sweet. I have known her for over 20 years. She did my hair," one longtime friend said.

A friend said Valentin worked as a hair stylist off 103rd Street in Jacksonville.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. 


About the Authors

Veteran journalist and Emmy Award winning anchor

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.

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