NOKOMIS, Fla. — The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) detained 44-year-old Juanita M. Pendell in connection with a homicide and arson investigation.
Deputies said just after 1 a.m. Tuesday, the Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) and the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to 255 North Tamiami Trail for a camper fire. Crews saw one person unconscious and not breathing when they entered.
Life-saving measures were attempted, but the man was pronounced dead at 1:48 a.m.
This is an ongoing investigation.
It's been one year since Hurricane Milton impacted our community. Tampa Bay 28 revisited some of Tampa Bay's hardest hit areas to show the recovery and the work that still needs to be done.
Hurricane Milton 1 Year: Forest Hills
