OCALA, Fla. – The family of a woman found dead in her front yard last week came together Friday night to pray that police find her killer.
Lizzie Ree Bracey, 70, was found unconscious next to her home on N.W. Old Blichton Road on Oct. 12.
Ocala police investigators said her body had sustained trauma and they declared her death a homicide.
Just steps away from where a relative found her body, her family gathered to light candles and pray.
"We have a murderer walking out among us," said Yvette Johnson, Bracey's niece.
Johnson told News 6 that Bracey was the glue that kept her family together. She also said Bracey helped many women in the community who were in abusive relationships.
"She wasn't a stranger to people," Johnson said. "She was a kind-hearted, loving person who died a very gruesome death, and she did not deserve it."
Johnson said she has a message for the person who killed her aunt.
"There's no way that you're sleeping and resting peacefully for what you did and how you did it. You can get redemption. You have to turn yourself in so that you can have peace," Johnson said.
Ocala police are looking for information that could lead to an arrest. Call investigators at 352-368-7867 or go to the Ocala Crime Stoppers website.