Police ID woman found shot to death in Leesburg home

LEESBURG, Fla. – A woman found shot to death early Monday at a Leesburg home has been identified, according to the police department.

The Leesburg Police Department said officers responded to the 1200 block of Penn Street around 2:39 a.m. after receiving a call from someone who said they believed “their friend was dead.”

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When officers arrived, police said a 37-year-old woman, later identified as Melissa Smith, was found dead in a the home. Police added she lived at home with her mother.

Neighbors told News 6 they woke up Monday morning to see police parked on the street.

“The police were out early this morning. I saw the sheriff, and I saw the medical examiner, and I saw the detectives,” said neighbor Marcus Johnson. “They had the dog walking through the field.”

Johnson said he lives around the corner from Smith’s home. He added that he knew Smith and called her “Kiki.”

“It kind of shocked me when I first (heard) about it because I knew her as a friend,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, I see her, and I would say, ‘How you doing, Kiki?’ She would speak to me, and it be like that.”

Johnson said Smith’s loved ones will miss her.

“I told her mom this morning, you know, it’s just one of them days,” Johnson said. “I never thought that would happen to her because I ain’t never knew her to bother nobody.”

Detectives at the Leesburg Police Department said they are working on several leads but declined to share any more information publicly.

Police said an investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call 352-728-9862 or call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

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