ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police on Tuesday have confirmed that the death of a woman found in her downtown Orlando apartment is a homicide.
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[READ: Info distributed at Uptown Place Apartments ]
Police said Sasha Samsudean, 27, was found dead Saturday evening in her apartment at the Uptown Place on North Orange Avenue.
Samsudean was out with friends Friday night and arrived safely at home, police said. When friends could not reach her Saturday, they reported her missing.
Police said they went to Samsudean's apartment and found her inside with no signs of forced entry into the apartment.
A surveillance photo of Samsudean was released on Tuesday showing her inside of the apartment building at 1:45 a.m. Police are asking anyone who may have seen Samsudean after 1:45 a.m. in her apartment building to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS or OPD Homicide at 407-246-2914.
Orlando Police said that the department is still waiting for autopsy results to determine exactly how Samsudean died. Law enforcement also said that their investigators are looking into all possible leads and are currently reviewing surveillance video taken from the apartment complex.
Tenants at the apartment building said that they want answers, worrying about their own safety.
"None of it's right, but there is a difference between somebody broke into the house and murdered her or if it was you know a lover or a boyfriend got jealous or something like that," said Greg Fortunat.
Greg Fortunat has lived in the building for three years. He said his friend lives directly below Samsudean's apartment.
"She said she didn't hear anything. She hadn't heard anything. She, and that's what's freaking her out by, you know. She's a girl and she lives by herself, so she's just kind of worried you know, what's going on?" said Fortunat.
Fortunat also said that his friend has been frightening because of how close the tragedy came.
"So she's saying she hasn't been sleeping. She hasn't been in the house. She's been going to her parents' house. She's freaked out. You know, so it's just a little frustrating," Fortunat.
Tenants also said they hope surveillance was able to capture evidence that can help police figure out what exactly happened early Saturday morning.
"There are cameras outside of every door on the outside, but in the inside I don't believe there are any cameras, but hopefully they can go back and look," said tenant Shannon Thompson.
Residents tell News 6 the investigation has them worried for their safety.
"This is my home - and I live here - and I want to know what's going on," said Sabrina Antoine. "It would be good for someone could communicate and let us us know. Are we safe? Do we need to be on the lookout for something?"
Samsudean's former employer, The Apartment Association of Greater Orlando and the iLS network, issued a joint written statement on Monday.
"As the former Operations and Training Director, Sasha was an integral part of the iLS network and was instrumental to our success as a company. We relied heavily on Sasha's drive, ambition, and business acumen throughout her tenure with iLS. She was, and will remain, an important part of the iLS network family, and we are devastated at the news of her passing," said Pete Zimek. "Our collective thoughts and prayers are with Sasha's family and friends during this difficult time."
Check back for more on this story.