Body of 22-Year-Old Florida Woman Found in ‘Suspicious Circumstances’

Kara Fay Hanvey was found dead in "suspicious circumstances" in Polk County, Florida on June 16, 2019. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)

Officials are asking any witnesses to come forward after a 22-year-old woman was found dead in Florida.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call early June 16 about an unresponsive female lying in a grass median off U.S. Highway 92.

First responders arrived on the scene and found the woman was dead. Officials couldn’t locate any witnesses.

The woman was identified as Kara Fay Hanvey of Sebring.

“An autopsy determined she was fatally struck by a vehicle, and there are other suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. Her belongings were located nearby, along the westbound shoulder,” the sheriff’s office said.

Carrie Horstman, with the sheriff’s office, told WFLA that Hanvey “didn’t get there by herself.”

Some witnesses who spoke to the authorities said that the victim was seen before 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning on the side of the road waving down cars.

Evidence found so far doesn’t point to a hit-and-run.

“[Traffic deputies] look for certain clues, whether you’ve been hit by a car or not,” said Horstman. “She doesn’t have those signs and symptoms on her. There was no debris from a car, which normally you have in a hit and run.”

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“We suspect someone’s responsible for her death,” she added.

“We definitely want to give her family some peace, find out what happened to her, and charge the person responsible,” Carrie Eleazer with the sheriff’s office told WFTS.

Officials were asking witnesses who may have been in the area between 5:30 am and 6:30 am, and/or any acquaintances of the victim who have information on her whereabouts or activities on Saturday night and/or Sunday morning to call the office at 863-298-6200 or the Traffic Unit at 863-297-1100.

Tipsters could remain anonymous by contacting the Heartland Crime Stoppers 1-800-226 TIPS (8477) or visiting the crime stoppers website.

911 Call

According to a 911 call released by the sheriff’s office, the passerby who found Hanvey said that he was exiting his car to check on her.

“I’m getting out to see if she’s OK,” the man said on the call. “I don’t know if she’s breathing or not. No, she’s gone.”

First responders pronounced her dead when they arrived.

Hanvey wrote on her Facebook page that she started a job at Bob Evans in Sebring in January but a manager there told the News Chief that she no longer worked there at the time of her death.

A fundraiser was launched for the family of the deceased mother by Lynzi Hendrix, who said she’s engaged to Hanvey’s older brother.

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“This is all so unexpected and we don’t know how things are going to go. But we’re praying that we don’t have to do this alone. Kara was the most extraordinary young woman and though we may think she was taken too soon, The Lord had a reason for calling her home. We ask that you please help with what you can so we may lay her to rest. We need as much support and prayer as you can give. So if you could do what can to make this difficult situation go as smoothly and peacefully as possible. Thank you and God Bless,” she wrote.

Hendrix later added: “. In a difficult time like this I just feel the need to help in any way I can. And if any questions are raised as to where the money is going proof will be provided that the amount needed to cover her funeral expenses will go directly to Morris Funeral Home and anything left will be either given to or put in an account not controlled by me for Kara’s two children.”