Missing Florida Woman Found Dead Hundreds of Miles Away in Tennessee

Anna Primavere (National Missing Persons Cases Network)

A Florida woman was found deceased in the trunk of a car more than 700 miles away in Tennessee, according to police.

A suspect in the death of 36-year-old Anna M. Primavere turned herself in at the Lebanon Police Department in Lebanon, Tennessee.

“At the request of the Titusville, Florida Police Department, our detectives located a vehicle suspected to be used in connection to a missing person,” police said in a statement last week. “That vehicle was located in our city, and within the vehicle,” Primavere’s body was found, said officials.

The suspect was identified as Courtney Dawn Gibson, and she is being held as detectives from Titusville are en route to Tennessee, said officials.

Gibson, 27, had been working as a babysitter for a child of the landlord where Primavere lived, officials told Fox35. Gibson had also lived in the same home, and she left on the same day that Primavere vanished, according to officials.

“Gibson was captured on a Ring doorbell video driving away from the area of Trinidad Avenue early [Feb. 22] morning with a mattress on the roof of her car, a Red Kia Forte,” Titusville Deputy Chief Todd Hutchinson told the Fox affiliate.

But the mattress fell off the car at a nearby location, prompting her to get out before she tried to burn it, said Amy Matthews, spokeswoman for the Titusville Police Department, according to Florida Today.

“She basically left a child alone and then she also tried to destroy a mattress with fire. Other charges are pending,” she said.

The suspect, meanwhile, was first located at her parents’ home in Tennessee, said police. Officials said she refused to cooperate and wouldn’t allow them to search her vehicle before they obtained a warrant.

Gibson is now being held on charges of child neglect and evidence tampering, Matthews confirmed.

“Our detectives began working in partnership with Lebanon Police on obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle, which was obtained [Feb. 26],” Hutchinson added. “We believe the victim was likely killed in a violent manner in the home between 7 p.m. and midnight on Friday, February 21st.”

“There is evidence to make us believe that she was a victim of violence or foul play,” Matthews added, referring to Primavere.

Primavere’s sister Kristie Fuller issued a statement to Florida Today: “The family is working closely with local law enforcement to seek justice and closure but nothing will ever fill the hole that’s been left in our hearts.” My sister Anna was always full of life, making friends, and loved her family [and] close friends fiercely. She left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was a great daughter, sister and friend.”

Anyone with information about the case can call Titusville Police Department at [phone] or can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward by calling Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).