Foul play suspected after woman's body found in Westside apartment

2 potential suspects in custody after pursuit, Jacksonville police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A well-being check at a Westside apartment complex led to the discovery of a woman's body, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. 

The body of the woman, who police described as elderly, was found Wednesday at the West Creek Apartments on 103rd Street, just west of Ricker Road, in the Jacksonville Heights neighborhood, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said foul play is suspected in the death of the woman, who neighbors said was in her mid-70s. Neighbors identified her as Janice Hay.

Two potential suspects were taken into custody after a foot pursuit that led to their capture, police said. A K-9 unit could be seen on Shelby Lane, off Schindler Drive, about 3 miles away from the apartment complex. 

The Sheriff's Office said the potential suspects were taken downtown to be questioned. According to neighbors, the two are a woman and a man, who they said is the son of the woman who was found dead.

It's still unclear whether anyone has been arrested in the woman's death. 

VIDEOS: 2 in custody after body found at apartment |
Woman found dead after neighbor calls 911

"I never expected this, but I expected something to happen with those two sooner than later," neighbor Dave Magnuson said. "It was getting on my nerves even."

Another neighbor, Peggy Derring, said Hay had confided in her, saying that her son had been giving her problems recently. 

"She was trying to get him and his girlfriend to move out. She tried to make them get out by the first of the month ... because they didn't work and they used her for everything," she said.

Derring said she last saw her neighbor Saturday and then she tried to call her Sunday, but never heard from her.

Derring then called 911 after she still couldn't get ahold of her friend Wednesday afternoon, leading police to discover the woman's body inside an apartment.

The cause of Hay's death has not been released.


About the Author:

Corley Peel is a Texas native and Texas Tech graduate who covered big stories in Joplin, Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacksonville, Florida before returning to the Lone Star State. When not reporting, Corley enjoys hot yoga, Tech Football, and finding the best tacos in town.