Police in Florida are hunting a triple killer on the loose after three teenagers were shot and their bodies dumped in multiple locations.
And the Marion County Sherrif has urged people to not "speculate on social media" as "rumours" of a serial killer rock the quiet community and reports suggest the tragic victims were found in a dumpster; by the side of the road; and in a submerged car.
Officers were first called on Thursday, March 30, to an area of Forest Lakes Park. When they arrived, they found a young woman lying by the side of the road, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to hospital in a critical condition and later identified as 16-year-old Layla Silvernail.
There have been reports that Layla was found, shot in the head, and left in a dumpster - though Marion County police are yet to confirm this detail.
The next morning, March 31, police were called to a 17-year-old boy lying beside the road at SE 94th Street and SE 188th Court, less than a mile away. When police got there, he was found to have died, which they said was likely from a gunshot wound.
On Saturday, April 1, police responded to the area of Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace having received information that Layla Silvernail's vehicle was partically submerged at the edge of a nearby body of water. Members from the MCSO Major Crimes Unit, Forensic Unit, and Underwater Recovery Team all responded to collect evidence and recover the vehicle.
Police then obtained a search warrant for Layla's vehicle, and during this search a third victim was found inside the car. A 16-year-old girl was found with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead.
Police are now hunting for the person resonsible for what have been described as "heinous crimes", confirming they are looking for an "individual."
But Sheriff of Marion County, Billy Woods, said rumours of a serial killer are "far from the truth" and urged people to "remember" the family members who are reading things posted by others online while coming to terms with the loss of a loved one in the tight-knit community near Ocklawaha, around 60 miles north west of Orlando.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Layla, hoping to raise $10,000 to fund her funeral and memorial expenses for Layla's grandma who "has played a huge role in her life". The page, set up by Southeastern Fastpitch softball team, which Layla is believed to have played for, said that as she was showing "no brain activity" her family "has decided to donate her organs so she can help others in the wake of this tragedy."
Layla was described as "the definition of a team player and an amazing athlete". Talking about her love of softball, they said she "was a great pitcher and could play any position her team needed." They went on to say: "She uplifted all of her teammates! She has been taken from us too soon and will be greatly missed."
Sherrif of Marion County, Billy Woods, said in a video on the force's Facebook page: "Last Thursday night my office responded to the area of Forest Lake Park, when they arrived they located a female lying beside the road suffering from a gunshot wound.
"The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition and was later identified as a 16-year-old girl, who's name I'm not going to repeat on air. The following morning deputies responded to SE 94th Street and SE 188th Court, in reference to a 17-year-old male lying beside the road.
"He was found to be deceased from a gunshot wound. Then on Saturday, more of my deputies responded to the area of Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace in reference to information that led us to the victim's vehicle, that was partially submerged at the edge of a nearby body of water.
"Now the members of my major crimes unit, forensic unit and underwater recovery team responded, collected evidence, recovered the vehicle. After going through the vehicle we found a third victim within the vehicle - a 16-year-old female, who also had a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Now I'm here to assure that small knit community that major crimes detectives are working very hard to determine who was the individual who committed these heinous crimes. Now we're looking for help, we're looking for help for the families who have lost a loved one and there are folks out there that know, you've got information."
Sherrif blasted "rumours on social media" of a serial killer.
He added: "Now one of the things I want to start with, is I want to stop the rumours that are on social media. One of the rumours is that there's a fourth victim; as of right now there is not, nor do we have any information to indicate that we do.
"Unless you know something that we don't and that means you're not helping us. If you do know more you need to call us and give us that information.
"Now the second rumour I want to address is the idea that there is a serial killer out there - that is far from the truth. Now I have the facts of what we know right now, and I can give you that assurance.
"So do not speculate on social media because one of the things I want each of you to think of, and try to remember when you start to type, is that there are family members out there reading it - and some of you you make s**t up, and it's devastating to that family and you need to stop.
"But, however, you can help us, you can provide us this information, call us. Now there's things that we cannot tell you, can't tell the media, some things we can't even tell the family members.
"One, because the law does not allow us to do it - Marsy's law. And then two the integrity of the case itself to ensure that we can build a solid case against this individual that committed these crimes.
"So, if you wish to remain anonymous in your tips just call crime stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP and reference 23-22 in your tip. We need your help citizens and that community out there, you'll be fine."
