Crime & Safety

Victim Named in 'Suspicious' Death; Body Found Next to Dirt Road

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has identified Melissa Gail Easterling, 32, of Gibsonton as the woman whose partially decomposed body was found June 27 just south of 8001 Eagle Palms Drive in the Greater Brandon area of Riverview.

Her family last saw her alive on June 19 and six days later went to her home in Gibsonton to check on her welfare.

Next of kin was notified June 27 that the partially decomposed body found in the Greater Brandon area of Riverview belonged to the woman they sought, Melissa Gail Easterling of Gibsonton, whose death has been ruled “suspicious."

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that the 32-year-old victim lived at 12432 U.S. Highway 41 South.

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Deputies reportedly received a call June 27, at 7:59 a.m., and found Easterling “on the ground, next to a dirt road" just south of 8001 Eagle Palms Drive in Riverview, about 1 mile from Progress Village Middle Magnet School, which sits in the Greater Brandon/Tampa ZIP code of 33619.

“Detectives are actively working with forensic crime-scene experts, searching for physical evidence, and have classified this death as ‘suspicious,’ ” reads a report released by Detective Larry McKinnon, a sheriff’s spokesperson.

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A later report said that “detectives will continue looking for evidence or witnesses who may have any knowledge that [could] assist in this investigation."

The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office was involved as well, to help determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information is asked to the call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200. Also, to report a tip, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). Report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or text "CSTB plus your tip" to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).


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