BRADENTON, Fla. — The Bradenton Police Department (BPD) said they are investigating after what was thought to be just a traffic crash turned into a homicide.
BPD said officers responded to a report of a traffic crash in the 2100 block of 8th Ave E around 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 and found a middle-aged woman suffering from extensive injuries inconsistent with the crash.
On Tuesday, Sept. 30, the Bradenton Police Department said the victim is identified as 44-year-old Thania Fuenmayor of Oneco. Police waited until her family, who are in Venezuela, was notified before releasing her name.
WATCH: Bradenton Police investigate homicide after woman found with injuries inconsistent with crash
Police said the woman died at the scene.
“I can say that she did not suffer from a gunshot wound," said Meredith Censullo, the Public Information Officer with the Bradenton Police Department.
Censullo said evidence indicates she was injured before the crash.
“She was outside of the vehicle when she was found, but all indications are that she was behind the wheel when the crash occurred," said Censullo.
BPD detectives and the Manatee Homicide Investigation Unit responded to take over the investigation, and the homicide appears to be an isolated incident, according to police.
Esther Salters lives in the neighborhood. After hearing a noise and later going outside, she said her family called 911.
“I heard something when it bumped, knocked my mailbox over," said Salters. “When I looked across the road, I see that lady that’s rolling. She was just rolling over and over and then rubbing her belly, and ain’t nothing that I could do.”
BPD is asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective Jeff Beckley at jeff.beckley@bradentonpd.com or submit tips anonymously to manateecrimestoppers.com.
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