EUSTIS, Fla.—The community is scheduled to come together Friday night to remember Monica Islam, the woman who was found murdered near Mount Dora last week.
Islam, 44, was found shot to death near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch around 7:30 a.m. May 2 after vanishing from Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, Eustis approximately 6:10 a.m. the same morning.
According to the missing person report obtained by Inside Lake, Islam’s daughter, Rimi Islam, reported her mother missing around 8:30 a.m. Friday. She told Eustis Police Department they left their home around 5:30 a.m. and arrived at Shell shortly after. She said her mom helped her with opening the store and then she went outside to take a walk around the parking lot, which was normal behavior. Rimi Islam told police she got busy and lost track of where her mom was. Another employee told Rimi Islam she saw Monica Islam in the parking lot as she arrived at work, around 6:10 a.m. Rimi Islam tried calling her mom, who had left her purse behind at the store, and was unable to reach her. After going back to the home they shared and looking for Monica Islam and checking security cameras for her with no success, Rimi Islam reported her missing to EPD.
While investigating Monica’s disappearance, EPD was made aware of a body found near Mount Dora; later identified as Monica Islam. LCSO has been tight-lipped about its investigation, releasing very little information over the past week. LCSO Cpl. Chanel Martin said detectives do not believe Monica Islam’s murder was a random act, and said earlier this week, they were following up on potential leads.
A large photo of Monica Islam is posted on the window next to the front door of Shell, asking anyone with information to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake
The candlelight vigil, organized in-part by family friend, Alisha Curtin, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, Eustis. Overflow parking is available across Bay Street from Shell at First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 1724 South Bay Street, Eustis; parking will not be available at Harden-Pauli Funeral Home, 1617 South Bay Street due to a previously scheduled, unrelated service.
“This (candlelight vigil) is not being organized by just one person,” Curtin told Inside Lake. “There is a village of people that are contributing to the memory of Monica, including local businesses, such as Publix.”
Amanda Hall, a Lake County native who works nearby, has also assisted with planning the candlelight vigil. Hall lost her own mother three years ago and knows the pain of losing a parent all too well. “(I know how Rimi feels) right now…lost without Mommy.”
Hall said the tight-knit community of Eustis wants “justice for Monica and our hearts and prayers are with Rimi.”
“When something like this happens in our community, we here in Eustis show our support and gather round the ones that need us most,” Curtin said. “A good person was taken from this Earth, and an amazing friend lost her best friend and mother. This is being organized to show our love and kindness throughout this community.”
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