Florida pastor's wife, 85, in coma after being brutally beaten in home invasion: officials

Friends pray for pastor's wife, in coma after alleged beating

The wife of an Orlando pastor was brutally beaten last week after a man pretending to be a community service officer forced his way inside her home.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The wife of an Orlando pastor was brutally beaten last week after a man pretending to be a community service officer forced his way inside her home.

Who is the victim?

The Orlando Police Department identified the woman as 85-year-old Lucy Pat Curl.

A spokesperson for First Baptist Church of Orlando confirmed to FOX 35 News that she is the wife of Pastor William "Bill" Curl.

Authorities said she is in a medically induced coma and is not likely to survive.

What they're saying:

During church services on Sunday, many in the congregation took a moment to pray for Lucy Pat.

"It is such a senseless, violent event that makes… I can't give you an explanation," Dr. David Uth, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Orlando, said. "So we're praying today that that miracle comes. But, we're prepared that if the Lord chooses to heal her, taking her home – that'll be OK too."

Neighbors FOX 35 News spoke to described Lucy as a kind woman who plays the piano and enjoys riding a tandem bike with her husband.

"She was a wonderful lady, a great Christian, and a pastor's wife. She was like a beacon of the street and this neighborhood," one neighbor said. "Very prominent and just a beautiful woman. And for someone to do that to her enrages me," another said.

Dee DeLoy is a family friend of Curls.

"It's created a lot of a lot of sadness, a lot of anger, a lot of questions. You know, you wonder, ‘Why them?’" Deloy said.

He said he is one of many praying for a miracle.

"God is listening to all these prayers, and we're bombarding heaven with prayers of, you know, ‘Please, Lord, give her life here. Please give her life and help her,’" he said.

The backstory:

On Jan. 31, police responded to a home on Caribbean Court, off S John Young Parkway, for a report of a home invasion, after Lucy's husband found her severely beaten, according to OPD.

Her husband called 911 stating a man had forced himself inside their home, and brutally attacked his wife.

She was taken to the Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

Who is Ronald Davis?

Ronald Davis, 55, was quickly identified as the suspect after leaving his wallet and driver's license at the scene, according to an arrest affidavit.

Police later found him sleeping inside a shed on a residential property a few miles from the victim's home.

Ronald Davis was arrested on multiple charges after he allegedly forced himself inside an Orlando home and brutally attacked an 85-year-old woman. (Credit: Orlando Police Department)

He faces charges of home invasion robbery with a weapon, aggravated battery on person over 65 with great bodily harm and aggravated battery with a weapon.

Investigators said Davis was released from prison in June 2024 after serving a 15-year concurrent sentence for burglary of a dwelling with assault and battery, as well as robbery.

New details:

On the morning of the incident, Davis knocked on Lucy's door, claiming to be a community service officer, according to an arrest report.

When she asked him for identification, Davis reportedly took out his wallet and police said he forced his way inside and started attacking her.

Detectives said he hit her over the head with a crystal candy jar, knocking her unconscious.

Officers said Davis then stole several items of jewelry before leaving her bleeding on the floor inside the home.

When she woke up, Lucy tried to call 911 but couldn't find her phone. She was able to crawl to the garage and honk on the horn in her car, but no one came to help.

Man pretended to be community service officer in home invasion

Officials said the woman who was attacked was taken to the hospital and currently remains in critical condition.

After nearly 15 minutes, she crawled back into her home and sat on the couch where she was discovered by her husband a few hours later.

Several neighbors told us that they weren't home or didn't hear the honking.

After speaking with detectives about the attack, she was placed into a medically induced coma due to severe head trauma, police said.

The hospital staff told police that it was not likely that she would survive her injuries.

What's next:

Davis' charges could be upgraded if Lucy does not survive. The Orlando Police Department's homicide unit has been notified to take over the investigation.

Orange County court records show Davis has a hearing scheduled at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7.

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