The report:
Missing Jogger Found Dead
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:10:41 PM
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Additional Information
Map Showing Location Of Blanchard Park
Central Florida Crimeline
ORLANDO -- A University of Central Florida graduate student was found dead one day after she was missing while jogging.
The remains of Nicole Ganguzza, 26, were found Wednesday night in the woods near Econlockhatchee Trail and State Road 50.
The discovery came nearly 24 hours after Ganguzza was first reported missing following a jog in Blanchard Park nearby.
Deputies said while they were still in the early stages of their investigation, they thought it was likely Ganguzza was abducted while on her run, then killled.
There are no suspects yet, but investigators said they would be looking into a possible connection between Ganguzza's death, and two attacks and rapes that happened nearby.
"We're going to look at every avenue. Sex Crimes has been out here with us, and we've had those two reports -- two incidents in 2006. We're going to look at those composites again," said Sgt. Allen Lee, with the Orange County Sheriff's Office. "We have our sex offender squad. Every resource the Sheriff's Office has, we're employing those resources to triage all those resources coming in."
The park was closed Wednesday as deputies released bloodhounds to search for Ganguzza.
Ganguzza's family said she regularly went running at Blanchard Park and went there around 6 p.m. Tueday. When she had not returned a couple of hours later, they called authorities, and deputies started to search the park around 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Ganguzza's car, a black Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible, was also found at the park.
The University of Central Florida issued a statement following Ganguzza's death.
"Our UCF family mourns the senseless death of one of our own. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Nicole's family, friends and classmates," the statement said.
The UCF Counseling Center was made available for anyone who may need to speak to someone about coping with the loss. The center is open Monday through Friday, and can be reached at (407) 823-2811.