Investigation into 2 women's bodies found weeks apart near Tamiami Trail

Police investigate suspicious deaths of 2 women

Jonee Lewis reports.

SARASOTA, Fla. - The deaths of two women whose bodies were found weeks apart but on the same stretch of Sarasota County roadway may be connected, according to Sarasota police.

The first body was found back in February, but when another body turned up in March, police began investigating possible connections.

On Thursday, March 10, two people walking near the 1900 block of Tamiami Trail came across the body of a 59-year-old woman, along the shore of Whitaker Bayou.

Woman's body found March 10 near Tamiami Trail (Sarasota PD)

MORE: Sarasota police conducting death investigation

Interim Sarasota PD Chief Rex Troch said investigators are now exploring whether the death is related to the discovery of a 48-year-old woman's body back on February 25, near the Centennial Park boat ramp.

Full press conference: Deaths of two women may be related, police say

Press conference with Sarasota PD after body found in Whitaker Bayou Thursday

Troch said it was unclear if any of the women or potential suspects knew one another.

During a press conference Friday, the interim chief was not ready to say if the community should be worried, but stressed that everyone should be "vigilant."

"I don't sleep at night knowing these things are happening," Troch said.