Man arrested in connection to murder of woman with ties to Central Florida

Victim was on her way to pick up her kids when she was killed

ZELLWOOD, Fla. – Authorities in South Carolina have arrested the man they say killed a woman with ties to Central Florida.

Myranda Southern, 31, is originally from Zellwood but had been living in South Carolina.  Her family thought she was on her way back home to pick up her children, ages 8 and 10, who had been staying with a relative for part of their summer vacation, but reported her missing when she never arrived.

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On Thursday, deputies in South Carolina announced that remains found in a field there nearly a week ago are those of Southern. Investigators say they had to use DNA collected from the body to make a positive identification.

Late Thursday, 33-year-old Darrell Raines was taken into custody and charged with Southern's murder. Investigators say the two met on a dating website and had just met in person for the first time days before she disappeared.

Southern's family is now asking for privacy and says they are making plans for a memorial.


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