Update: Linda Billig was found in Winter Springs, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
SORRENTO, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with locating an 80-year-old Sorrento woman reported missing Monday morning.
Linda Derr Billig, 80, was reported missing from her home on PGA Drive in Sorrento shortly before 8:45 a.m. and suffers from dementia, LCSO Public Information Officer Chanel Martin said.
A Silvert Alert has been issued for Billig, and she is described as a white female, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with gray hair, brown eyes and weighs approximately 175 pounds. She is believed to be driving a 2004 white Toyota Highlander with a specialty tag, “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” RLM259 and may be wearing pajamas.
If you see Billig or know her whereabouts, call LCSO 352-343-2101.
LINCOLN PARISH, La.—The mom accused of kidnapping her two daughters from a Lake County foster home fled from Louisiana State Police (LSP) when they attempted stop her Friday and is now facing additional charges.
LSP troopers received information from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that Dixie Williams, 41, may be traveling on Interstate 20 in a silver Nissan Rogue and troopers spotted the Nissan and initiated a traffic stop, just before 12:15 p.m. local time. Williams came to a brief stop on Interstate 20 westbound, east of LA-145 and then fled from troopers, according to LSP.
After a brief pursuit by LSP and Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, a “tire deflation device” was deployed and Williams came to a stop, LSP said.
Williams was taken into custody and Tilli, 5, and Natalia, 18 months, who were not in child safety seats, were safely recovered by law enforcement. They were turned over to the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services.
Williams is now facing two counts of kidnapping in Lake County, and numerous charges in Louisiana, including aggravated flight from an officer, operating a vehicle with a suspended license, resisting an officer, two counts of no child passenger restraint system and no seat belt use.
SORRENTO, Fla.—An Amber Alert has been issued for two children missing from Sorrento.
At 7 a.m. Thursday, the foster mother of Tilli and Natalia Williams reported the girls missing from her home at 23419 Companero Drive in Sorrento. She told the Lake County Sheriff’s Office she last saw the girls at 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell.
According to the Amber Alert, the girls may be in the company of Dixie Williams, 41. Williams is described as a white female, 5 feet, 2 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, and weighs approximately 200 pounds. She is also known to use the last name “Stumpner.”
Tilli Claire Williams
Tilli is 5 years old, 3 feet, 5 inches tall, approximately 45 pounds, with long, straight brown hair and was last seen wearing gray or navy-blue pajamas with multi-colored hearts.
Natalia Williams
Natalia is 18 months old, 2 feet, 5 inches tall, approximately 30 pounds, with short, brown curly hair and was last seen wearing a pink pajama gown and pink pants with hearts.
If you have information on the girls’ whereabouts, call 911.
SORRENTO, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a pair of young sisters who disappeared from their Sorrento foster home overnight.
At 7 a.m. Thursday, the foster mother of Tillie and Natalia Williams reported the girls missing from her home at 23419 Companero Drive in Sorrento. She told LCSO she last saw the girls at 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell.
“Lake County Sheriff’s detectives are on scene and actively investigating. Detectives are looking into the possibility that the juveniles are with their biological mother and father, or if they have any information,” Herrell said in an email.
It is unknown how or when the girls left the home.
Tillie Claire Williams
Tillie is 5 years old, 3 feet, 5 inches tall, approximately 45 pounds, with long, straight brown hair and was last seen wearing gray or navy-blue pajamas with multi-colored hearts.
Natalia Williams
Natalia is 18 months old, 2 feet, 5 inches tall, approximately 30 pounds, with short, brown curly hair and was last seen wearing a pink pajama gown and pink pants with hearts.
If you have information on the girls’ whereabouts, call 911.
EUSTIS, Fla.—A community plans to come together Sunday afternoon to raise money for three children injured in a crash that killed their moms in Connecticut last month.
On Oct. 22, Lacey Marie Price, 32, and Rebecca “Becky” Marie Schutte, 36, both of Sorrento, were passengers in a Lincoln Aviator being driven by Kory Watson, 40, of Hillsville, Va. Watson veered into the right lane for an unknown reason on Interstate 91 South in Wethersfield, Conn. and collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer parked on the right shoulder.
The collision killed Watson and Price; Schutte was transported to Hartford Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Schutte’s two children, Hailyn, 11 and Braysen, 9, and Price’s daughter, Willow, 7, were also in the Aviator at the time of the crash. Connecticut State Police said the children received minor injuries in the hours after the crash, but they were all severely injured.
Hailyn suffered a broken neck, shattered hip, a broken leg and head lacerations. Braysen suffered a shattered spine and bruised kidneys, and Willow suffered a compression spinal fracture and fractured wrist. All three children have since been released from the hospital, but have a long road ahead of them, both physically and emotionally.
A benefit concert featuring Nails Creek Records recording artists Dallas Tyler and Zach Denby is scheduled for noon Sunday at Crossroads 44, 36721 County Road 19A, Eustis. The benefit will also include $10 BBQ dinners, a 50/50 raffle, live auction of donated merchandise and $2 Jello shots. All proceeds will benefit the children. Admission is $15 and tickets can be purchased at the gate.
John Conley, one of the organizers of the event spoke to Inside Lake about his friendship with Price and Schutte and said they loved their children immensely.
“Lacey and Becky were a lot alike in many ways,” Conley said. “They were outspoken and stood up for what they thought was right. If either one of them had something to say, you were going to hear it, like it or not.”
Conley spoke of their giving nature and their smiles.
“They would give the shirt off their backs if you were in need,” Conley said. “They had a good sense of humor and had contagious smiles when they entered a room. They were genuine women who you could count on to be there. If they were in your corner, they had your back.”
His memories of the two women span many years; Price grew up just four houses down from his grandparents and he met Schutte in middle school, along with her brother Chris. Schutte and her brother lived just a neighborhood away from Conley’s grandparents and Price.
Conley fondly remembers just riding and “jamming out” with Price. “(The) last time that happened we ended up at Coconuts on the Beach day drinking,” he said with a laugh.
He also told Inside Lake about the time Schutte talked him into letting a guy she was dating at the time recolor a faded tattoo. “Long story short, he couldn’t color in the lines, and she had to fixt it,” he said.
Lacey Price and John Conley
Conley was struck by tragedy more than once last month. On Oct. 26—just four days after he lost Price and Schutte—he lost another family friend, Richard “Rick” McPhee, after he succumbed to injuries suffered in a hit-and-run-crash in July. The driver who hit McPhee as he was riding his bicycle to work on Wolf Branch Road, still has not been identified.
EUSTIS, Fla.—An event to benefit a Lake County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year is scheduled for Saturday.
What started as chest pain in 2022 turned into a terrifying diagnosis last summer for LCSO Cpl. Adam Tytler. In November 2022, Tytler went to a cardiologist for ongoing chest pain, and after a EKG showed his heart was in good shape, the cardiologist told him the pain was likely gastrointestinal. The next month, on Christmas Eve, Tytler discovered a swollen lymph node on his neck and by February the lymph node had not gotten any better. He was also suffering from a sinus infection at the time and went to his primary care doctor for treatment and mentioned the lymph node. The doctor chalked it up to the infection, but during the spring Tytler’s chest pain continued and had also moved to his back, and then he began to find swollen lymph nodes on his chest.
Tytler went through a battery of tests and upon reviewing the results, his doctor said it was likely cancer. Tytler sought a second opinion from the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and his fears were confirmed when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma in June 2023.
Tytler, his wife Tiffany, and two daughters, Shay 17, Lily, 14, are currently splitting their time between Mount Dora and Tampa for treatment and it is taking a financial toll on the family while already dealing with an emotional roller coaster. Tytler said he came forward with his struggle because cancer affects millions of people and often they go through it alone.
“I would have given up if it weren’t for my faith, my family and the support from the school resource deputy unit,” Tytler said. “I only wanted for those who are struggling to know they are not alone. Not now. Not ever and to never give up.”
Tytler’s struggle inspired Shannon Cook, organizer of Lake County’s annual Back the Blue Walk, and LCSO Lt. Kristin Thompson to create the benefit scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at That Place, 925 North Bay Street, Eustis.
Dinners will be available for purchase, along with an auction of numerous items, including a Back the Blue basket with items from multiple Lake County law enforcement agencies, tickets to various events, like New Kids on the Block concert tickets and Richard Petty Driving Experience, along with a Yeti cooler packed with alcohol, various craft items made by local residents, a high-end fishing pole and numerous other items. A poker scramble is also scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at Gator Harley-Davidson, 1745 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, and will include five stops, ending at That Place, Cook told Inside Lake.
Tytler has spent nearly his entire adult life at LCSO, and most recently worked as a corporal in the school resource deputy unit. He prevented a shooting on the Eustis High School campus during the 2018-2019 school year and was awarded the Lake County Officer of the Year in 2019 for his efforts.
He said he is excited he has only one treatment left, and it has been a difficult journey. “Truthfully, it’s been challenging and difficult treatment-wise, not just for me but my family also,” Tytler said.
He will have to wait until after the new year to find out if he is cancer-free, he said.
Tytler told Inside Lake saying thank you to all those who have helped him, and contributed to the benefit will never be enough.
“My family and I are so appreciative and overwhelmed of the outpouring of love and support from everyone. Especially from people I’ve never met,” he said.
SORRENTO, Fla.—A suspected thief was arrested on Halloween after a victim located his belongings on Craigslist for sale and sent the Lake County Sheriff’s Office photos of his items with the suspected thief in front of a Sorrento home, according to an arrest affidavit.
After receiving the photos, LCSO detectives responded to 31624 Orange Street in Sorrento—the same home where explosives were found last month in the case against David Flores. Flores was arrested near that home after being on the run for several days stemming from an incident that began with an armed sexual battery.
When detectives arrived at the home, they found the stolen items—a carved wooden fish and a cypress table—in plain view in front of the home and interviewed Brian Powell, 33, the same man in the photos sent by the victim, and a resident of the home. Powell told LCSO he purchased the items from his roommate for $150. A detective asked Powell if he knew where his roommate got the items and if he knew how much they were worth. Powell said he did not know where the roommate obtained the items and after researching the items online, he knew they were expensive, the affidavit states. Inside Lake is not naming the roommate because he has not been charged with a crime in this case.
Powell consented to a search of the Orange Street home and detectives found numerous other items belonging to the victim, including four fishing poles, an outboard, tools and decorations. Powell was arrested for dealing in stolen property and dealing in stolen property via the internet.
He was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $7,000 bond.
SORRENTO, Florida—A Sorrento bicyclist has died from injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run crash in July, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed to Inside Lake.
Only Inside Lake reported on the crash that seriously injured Richard “Rick” McPhee, 59, of Sorrento around 5:45 a.m. July 26. McPhee was riding a bicycle eastbound on Wolf Branch Road approaching Stone Meadow Court on his way to work when a vehicle, possibly a 2014 -2018 Kia Soul, struck McPhee from behind, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi.
McPhee’s bicycle had proper lighting and he was wearing a reflective vest.
Richard “Rick” McPhee’s bicycle following a hit-and-run crash. Photo courtesy of John Conley
The impact threw McPhee to the south shoulder of the road and the unknown vehicle fled eastbound down Wolf Branch Road. McPhee was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford with serious injuries. He died Oct. 26, Trooper Migdalisis Garcia told Inside Lake.
“The Trooper investigating this crash found a car part on-scene for a vehicle that could possibly be involved in this crash. The car part was a piece of the front headlight assembly from possibly a white in color vehicle,” Crescenzi said in an email. “The evidence is consistent with a Kia Soul between the years of 2014 – 2018. The suspect vehicle should have damage to the front right.”
John Conley spoke with Inside Lake Wednesday night and said McPhee was his dad’s friend “for as long as he could remember.”
“He was a good friend and my coworker for many years. He looked forward to his yearly trip to Maine, where he would spend a week at his brother (Lee’s) home vacationing. Rick also enjoyed going mudding with his other brother Lance and his son at Hogwaller Mud Bog,” Conley said.
McPhee leaves behind two children, a daughter, Amanda, who is expecting his first grandchild, and a son, RT.
Richard “Rick” McPhee, right, and his brother Lee. McPhee always looked forward to his annual trip to his brother’s house in Maine,” longtime friend John Conley said. Photo courtesy of John Conley
“Hopeful that someone knows something or that the person turns themselves in so everyone can get some closure. It’s just an awful thing to do,” Conley said. “Rick was a good guy; he didn’t deserve to be left for dead on the side of the road.”
FHP is asking anyone with information on the crash, including body shops or mechanics that may have worked on the vehicle involved, to contact them at 407-737-2213 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Two angles of the same vehicle part that was found on the scene where Richard “Rick” McPhee was hit on his bicycle in July. PHOTOS: Florida Highway Patrol
WETHERSFIELD, Conn.—A Connecticut crash claimed the lives of two Sorrento women and a Virginia man Sunday and sent three Sorrento children to the hospital, according to the Connecticut State Police (CSP.)
Shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday, Kory Watson, 40, of Hillsville, Va., was driving a 2003 Lincoln Aviator on Interstate 91 South when he veered into the right lane for an unknown reason and collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer parked on the right shoulder near Exit 25.
Watson, and one of his passengers, Lacey Marie Price, 32, of Sorrento, were pronounced deceased on the scene. Passenger Rebecca Marie Schutte, 36, was transported to Hartford Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and three children, all of Sorrento, were transported to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center with “suspected minor injuries,” according to CSP. The relationship between the women and the children was not released. The tractor-trailer driver, Kiran Johns, 26, of Fairless Hills, Pa., was not injured.
The crash closed Interstate 91 South for several hours Sunday and remains under investigation.
SORRENTO, Fla.—Only Inside Lake reported on a search warrant that was executed on a home connected to David Flores Thursday afternoon and now the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has revealed what was found.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives (ATF,) and LCSO’s SWAT Team, Hazardous Device Team (bomb squad,) detectives and crime scene investigators searched the home located at 31624 Orange Street, Sorrento Thursday afternoon and into the early evening hours.
“During the search, detectives located firearms, a ballistic vest, fentanyl, and other drugs. The vest that was collected matches the description of the one the victim claimed Flores had in his possession on Sunday. Two improvised explosive devices were also located and collected by ATF, who will be adding additional federal charges to Flores. The two devices were very similar to those collected at the Eustis home on Wednesday,” LCSO Lt. John Herrell said in an email.
Flores was arrested early Wednesday morning after fleeing deputies at the home on Orange Street. LCSO K9 Ex apprehended and bit Flores on a nearby property, and he was taken into custody and booked into the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond.
Flores is now facing federal charges, in addition to the litany of state charges he is facing stemming from an incident on Bates Avenue in Eustis Sunday afternoon. One other person was arrested during the search warrant for violation of a domestic no-contact order after he was found at the home with his alleged victim, Herrell told Inside Lake.
