CARROLLWOOD, Fla. — A 67-year-old woman was arrested Monday evening after deputies searched a Carrollwood home and reported finding a body under suspicious circumstances.
Debra Pais Patton was living with a relative at a home in the 11000 block of Cypress Park Street, when the relative, Karen Pais, went missing.
What You Need To Know
- 67-year-old Karen Pais was not seen for a week before neighbors called
- Deputies say they found the remains of an adult
- Deputies say a family member is giving false info
Neighbors on Cypress Park Street say they would always see Pais, 67, outside working in her yard. However, nearly a week had passed and they hadn't heard from her.
"She loved that lawn, she worked on it everyday just about doing something to it," said Mike Spinelli. "That’s why for a couple of days when I didn’t see her, I knew something was wrong."
Investigators say they initially responded to her Carrollwood home for a wellness check on Sunday.
"Deputies came here and interviewed a relative who also lives at the home, and based on some inconsistent information provided in that interview, deputies went on to suspect foul play," said sheriff's office spokesperson Crystal Clark.
Hours later, the neighbors' suspicions that something went terribly wrong were realized.
"Deputies did locate the body of an adult victim here at the home. We are working to identify that person as well as determine a cause of death," Clark said.
Investigators say they found remains they believe belong to the victim. The family member was later identified as Patton. Investigators said she gave them false information, but did not specify what that information was.
It's unsettling news for the people in the quiet neighborhood.
"It's very scary to think something like that could happen here. I mean, I’m concerned and would really like to know what actually happened," Spinelli said.
Investigators are asking neighbors on the street to let them review doorbell cameras to see if there is something that can help with the investigation.
Patton was arrested and charged with abuse of a dead human body Monday evening.
Investigation into Pais' death is ongoing, investigators said.
No other information on the investigation into her death was immediately released.