FL - Two women murdered on Tamiami Trail on diff days, Sarasota, Feb-Mar'22 *Arrest*

[Hap]

Man Arrested In Connection With Sarasota Tamiami Trail Murder Of 48-Year-Old Woman

"William Devonshire, 52, of Sarasota, was arrested on Friday, March 25, 2022, on charges of trespassing, possession of cocaine, and possession of paraphernalia.

Sarasota Police officers found probable cause to also charge Devonshire in connection to the February 25th homicide. "

 

[PayrollNerd]

Man Arrested In Connection With Sarasota Tamiami Trail Murder Of 48-Year-Old Woman

"William Devonshire, 52, of Sarasota, was arrested on Friday, March 25, 2022, on charges of trespassing, possession of cocaine, and possession of paraphernalia.

Sarasota Police officers found probable cause to also charge Devonshire in connection to the February 25th homicide. "

That didn’t take long. I figured they’d solve this quickly. Hopefully the press conference will be informative. If more charges are coming, I wonder if that means he’s connected to the second murder.

snip
A press conference regarding the arrest is being scheduled for Monday, March 28, 2022, at Sarasota Police Department Headquarters, 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota. Additional charges for Devonshire are pending.

 

[PayrollNerd]

He’s listed 1400 10th St as his address. That’s the Salvation Army Shelter. He was already incarcerated when charged.

52-year-old arrested in one of two Tamiami Trail homicides | Sarasota | Your Observer

Snip
William Devonshire, 52, was charged with murder, dangerous depraved without premeditation, on Saturday and was held without bail, according to records with the Sarasota County Jail. His listed address, in the 1400 block of 10th Street, is about a half-mile from where a 48-year old woman’s body was found near the Centennial Park boat ramp on Feb. 25.

Devonshire was already in custody at the time of his homicide arrest, following his arrest Friday on charges of trespassing, cocaine possession and possession of paraphernalia.

 

[LadyL]

well I'm glad they got him

 

[PayrollNerd]

I don't see a 2022 case number for him yet. He's got a record in Sarasota County back to 2013. The 2021 case is still open. He's a violent man based on the types of charges listed. He is well known to LE for sure. JMO

ClerkNet 3.0

 

[tlcya]

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A man arrested in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found in Centennial Park Feb. 25 is also suspected in a March 10 homicide on Tamiami Trail, police say.
[snip]
On Feb. 25, police found the body of 48-year-old Kelliann Ripley of Sarasota in a wooded area in the 1100 block of Tamiami Trial.

The medical examiner found that Ripley died due to blunt force trauma and manual strangulation. DNA evidence collected at the scene is a match to a DNA sample collected from Devonshire after his arrest, Troche said in a news conference Monday morning.
[snip]
“Detectives believe the two homicides are connected because of facts and evidence found in both case,” he said.
Sarasota murder suspect is ‘strong suspect’ in second case

 

[PayrollNerd]

Sarasota Police Dept Facebook post today.

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William Devonshire, 52, has been arrested and is facing charges of Murder in connection to the death of Kelliann Ripley, 48, of Sarasota. The family of Ms. Ripley shared with Sarasota Police Department detectives over the weekend they are allowing Ms. Ripley's name to be released publicly.

A news conference was held earlier today and can be viewed on the Sarasota Police Department YouTube page at

"This case was solved using science and technology but it was also solved thanks to the non-stop dedication and hard work of Sarasota Police officers and detectives," said Sarasota Police Department Interim Chief of Police Rex Troche. "The men and women of our agency sacrificed their nights, weekends, and time away from their families to make sure justice was brought in this case," said Troche.

On February 25, 2022, Sarasota Police officers responded to a wooded area in the 1100 block of North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. On February 26, 2022, the 12th District Medical Examiner's Office determined Ms. Ripley's death was a result of homicidal violence caused by blunt force trauma and manual strangulation. Evidence collected from Ms. Ripley's autopsy was submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for analysis.

On March 15, 2022, Devonshire voluntarily gave a buccal swab to Sarasota Police officers. A buccal swab is a q-tip swab inside a person's mouth for DNA comparison. Devonshire was arrested on Friday, March 25, 2022, by Sarasota Police Department officers in Pioneer Park, 1260 12th Street, Sarasota, on charges of trespassing, possession of cocaine, and possession of paraphernalia.

On Saturday, March 26, 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) contacted the Sarasota Police Department to share Devonshire's DNA was a match to swabs collected from Ms. Ripley during her autopsy.

Sarasota Police detectives believe Devonshire is a strong suspect in a homicide that happened on March 10, 2022, in the 1900 block of North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Sarasota Police detectives are continuing to follow leads in the March 10th homicide. Detectives believe the two homicides are connected because of facts and evidence found in both cases. Detectives are continuing to investigate if the suspect and victims knew one another.

The Sarasota Police Department would like to thank several law enforcement partners who assisted with the investigation including FDLE, the FBI, the State Attorney’s Office 12th Judicial Circuit, the Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff's Office, and the Attorney General's Office.

Devonshire has criminal histories in New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, Delaware, and Florida including charges of assault, aggravated harassment, disorderly contact, battery, burglary, and trespassing. He was charged in 2003 and convicted in 2005 of murder in Delaware.

Devonshire is currently being held at the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office jail on no bond. Booking photos can be found on the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office website at Welcome to Sarasota County Sheriff's, FL

 

[PayrollNerd]

Three murder victims and multiple violent offenses. At what point does he get locked up for life???? Unreal.

Snip from Sarasota Police Dept Facebook post:
Devonshire has criminal histories in New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, Delaware, and Florida including charges of assault, aggravated harassment, disorderly contact, battery, burglary, and trespassing. He was charged in 2003 and convicted in 2005 of murder in Delaware.

 

[faithx]

Excerpt from a newspaper article about the 2003 murder that William Devonshire committed:

Magnolia man charged in slaying of neighbor

"A Magnolia-area man was arrested Tuesday in the slaying of a 51-year-old man found beaten to death in April.

William J. Devonshire, 34, who lived on the same street in the same Magnolia-area mobile-home park as the victim, Albert C. Harris Sr., has been charged with first-degree murder and possessing a weapon during a felony, Delaware State Police said.

Cpl. Jeff Oldham said DNA testing of blood from the scene, as well as evidence from Devonshire's home, linked him to the case."

 

[YaYa_521]

Three murder victims and multiple violent offenses. At what point does he get locked up for life???? Unreal.

Snip from Sarasota Police Dept Facebook post:
Devonshire has criminal histories in New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, Delaware, and Florida including charges of assault, aggravated harassment, disorderly contact, battery, burglary, and trespassing. He was charged in 2003 and convicted in 2005 of murder in Delaware.

ITA! He deserves the death penalty, imo. Three murder victims known to LE. SMH

It'll be interesting to see whether he has other victims once his DNA is run through all the systems. There are a lot of women missing in the states where he already has convictions or was accused of crimes. It's possible he could be tied to numerous murders that haven't been solved yet. God forbid we even talk about the cases that involve victims who have yet to be located? MOO

Do three murders now qualify him as a SK?

 

[LadyL]

so was he homeless living near the trails or did he stalk these poor women?

 

[faithx]

Here is the probable cause affidavit that I downloaded from the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court website, case number 2022 CF 003626 NC

 

[PayrollNerd]

so was he homeless living near the trails or did he stalk these poor women?

He put the Salvation Army shelter as his address. I’d say he was long term homeless. Particularly because they picked him up in Payne Park, which is downtown. I’ve biked that park and the park/boat ramp at 10th St. Both are notorious for homeless people.

 

[Kakidoll]

I'm going to guess they were also possibly staying at the cheap motels on 41 where many 'homeless' get rooms and share. I barely drive that way anymore but it used to be that is where the drugs/illegal activities took place. I was just in jury duty and there were some evictions from the motels on Tam. Trail.... still renting around 50/night, weekly 250 etc......

 

[branmuffin]

FL Marsy's law does keep victims from being identified to the public without permission from the victim or their family.
Marsy’s Law (flsa6.gov)

I don't think the original intent was to keep the name of murdered individuals anonymous. It was to protect the privacy of living people who had been victimized by a criminal act. Since its inception the act has been extended to include family members and law enforcement officers who have been charged with crimes. It's a law that is being exploited.

 

[MaryG12]

Three murder victims and multiple violent offenses. At what point does he get locked up for life???? Unreal.

Snip from Sarasota Police Dept Facebook post:
Devonshire has criminal histories in New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, Delaware, and Florida including charges of assault, aggravated harassment, disorderly contact, battery, burglary, and trespassing. He was charged in 2003 and convicted in 2005 of murder in Delaware.

Good Heavens.

I read about Devonshire in the news, I have to wonder what exactly happened. Did he approach Kelliann?

Now he is considered suspect in the second murder case:

Sarasota murder suspect is ‘strong suspect’ in second case

A man arrested in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found in Centennial Park Feb. 25 is also suspected in a March 10 homicide on Tamiami Trail, police say.

 

[YaYa_521]

Good Heavens.

I read about Devonshire in the news, I have to wonder what exactly happened. Did he approach Kelliann?

Now he is considered suspect in the second murder case:

Sarasota murder suspect is ‘strong suspect’ in second case

A man arrested in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found in Centennial Park Feb. 25 is also suspected in a March 10 homicide on Tamiami Trail, police say.

SBM

While not giving details, Troche said there was a “very strong correlation” between the Ripley case and the March 10 homicide in the 1900 block of Tamiami Trail. “Detectives believe the two homicides are connected because of facts and evidence found in both case,” he said.
#

Hopefully it's DNA evidence. MOO

 

[BillWarnerPI]

Man Arrested In Connection With Sarasota Tamiami Trail Murder Of 48-Year-Old Woman

"William Devonshire, 52, of Sarasota, was arrested on Friday, March 25, 2022, on charges of trespassing, possession of cocaine, and possession of paraphernalia.

Sarasota Police officers found probable cause to also charge Devonshire in connection to the February 25th homicide. "

Serial Killer William Devonshire Attacking Women in Sarasota Since Nov 2013 Arrival From Newark DE On Parole for Murder. This 6' 4" tall, 220 pound monster has been roaming amongst us in downtown Sarasota since Nov 2013. Ex-con William J. Devonshire, DOB 9/23/1969, decided this area was best for him after his parole for murder in Wilmington DE, lucky us. William J. Devonshire had arrests in New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Delaware and Florida, I get the impression William Devonshire worked as a long haul trucker. William Devonshire is a convicted murderer, as a result of an incident which occurred on April 3, 2003 in the State of Delaware. Serial Killers like William Devonshire in Sarasota go after marginalized individuals particularly prostitutes, drug addicts and the homeless relatively easy marks as they tend to lose touch with family and friends and might have a history of disappearing for extended periods of time. There is no doubt in my mind that William "Bill" Devonshire killed the two homeless women along the north Tamiami Trl, in Feb and March of 2022, that makes him a serial killer with his prior murder conviction in Delaware. How many other bodies are on this monster is unknown, Devonshire's signature style of murder is blunt force trauma and manual strangulation, he grabs his victims by the throat and strangles the life out of his victims with his bare hands. Same method he used to kill the guy in Delaware.

On January 5, 2004, Defendant William J. Devonshire was charged by Indictment with Murder First Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, as a result of an incident which allegedly occurred on April 3, 2003, he was convicted of the Murder in 2005, but did not receive a LIFE sentence, in fact he was back on the streets by mid 2013 in Sarasota Fl just 8 years later, WTF? William J. Devonshire, DOB 9/23/1969, prior address in 2003 was on Spruce Ave Wilmington, DE 19805.

 

[otto]

I read upthread that these two victims were connected by DNA, so investigators knew that one person had murdered two women before they identified the suspect. I hope investigators are looking at connections/similarities with other victims who were found in the area between 2013 and today.

 

[cvaldez1975]

Here is the probable cause affidavit that I downloaded from the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court website, case number 2022 CF 003626 NC

i think they suspected him right away.