Eagle Lake death investigation: Polk County deputies identified potential suspect in woman's suspicious death

EAGLE LAKE, Fla. - Deputies are conducting a suspicious death investigation in Eagle Lake after finding a woman dead on Wilder Way, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

Eagle Lake death investigation

What we know:

Deputies are investigating the suspicious death of a female found on Wilder Way, a new street located off Bomber Road in the Ranches at Lake McLeod neighborhood in Eagle Lake. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said investigators believe they have identified a suspect or suspects connected to the case. 

Ranches at Lake McLeod neighborhood

What they're saying:

Neighbors noted that they did not know the woman who lived at the home and did not hear or see anything unusual before detectives arrived. Homeowner Shane Hobbs, who moved to the subdivision in February, said seeing crime scene tape near his family's nightly walking route was unsettling.

"You read about it, you hear it, but you don't think it's this close to home," Hobbs said. "We moved here in February, and we take a nightly walk — me and my family. It's quiet. We see kids playing at the school — never any issues. It's just shocking."

Hobbs added that learning deputies identified a suspect brought him relief. 

"If somebody wasn't caught, I wouldn't be out here right now," Hobbs said.

Polk County sheriff updates

What we don't know:

Authorities have not released the identity of the woman or specified how she died. 

Investigators have also not released any information about the possible suspects. 

Sheriff Judd stated that no additional details could be released at this time, though officials emphasized there is no danger to the community. 

Polk CountyCrime and Public Safety