SILVER ALERT UPDATE: Missing 74-year-old was found dead. We will have an update at 1p.m. http://t.co/0FyuL2H7tD pic.twitter.com/GGU1b5oIhH
— 10 News (@WTSP10News) June 23, 2014
A 74-year-old woman who went missing from her home in a Florida nudist colony has been found dead, cops said.
Sylvia Schmitt was found dead just hours after a Silver Alert had been issued to help locate her.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Police Charged Schmitt’s Grandson With Murder
.@PascoSheriff: Grandson, Brandon Machetto, 18, has been charged with grandmother, Sylvia Schmitt's murder. #10News
— 10 News (@WTSP10News) June 23, 2014
According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Sylvia Schmitt’s 18-year-old grandson Brandon Machetto was charged with murder. He has not made any statements. Cops say a neighbor called 911 saying Schmitt’s grandson looked suspicious and dragged a large item into Schmitt’s car. When police arrived at the home, they found a large amount of blood. Cops were able to conduct a routine traffic stop in order to stop Machetto.
2. A Neighbor Called 911 Saying Machetto Looked Suspicious
Sheriff Nocco says a neighbor saw grandson carrying something and saw "feet." Loaded body into minivan, neighbor of Sylvia Schmitt says.
— Erin Maloney (@ErinOnTV) June 23, 2014
During a press conference, cops said they received a 911 call from a neighbor who say Machetto looking suspicious outside Schmitt’s home and then carrying a large item into her car. The neighbor also told police the item “had feet.”
3. She Was Found in Her Car
Used 2006 #Honda #Odyssey, 103,398 miles, listed for $12,987 under used cars
http://t.co/FRqQNkFfZw pic.twitter.com/iKP4VhRPwb
— CarFlippa (@CarFlippa) June 3, 2014
According to Bay News 9, Schmitt was found dead in her vehicle. The Silver Alert originally noted that Schmitt might have been in her vehicle, a gold 2006 Honda Odyssey, when she went missing. The image above shows the make and model of Schmitt’s car.
4. She Lived at the Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort
(Facebook/Paradise Lakes Nudist Rentals)
According to WFLA, Schmitt vanished from her home in the Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort in Lutz on Monday, which is when the Silver Alert was issued. The community occupies 72 acres of land and functions as a members-only vacation spot.
5. Silver Alerts in Florida Are Issued for People Who Get Lost While Driving or Walking
According to Florida Silver Alert, Florida’s Silver Alert program is for, “cognitively impaired individuals who become lost while driving a car or lost while on foot.” Typically, Silver Alerts help cops locate individuals who may be suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia and tend to be older. Police have not yet confirmed if Schmitt had Alzheimer’s or dementia.