WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A “routine of feeding neighboring horses” ended in tragedy on Thursday afternoon after a woman’s body was found in the middle of a field, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
In a release, police said they received a 911 call shortly before 2 p.m., later discovering an elderly woman’s body in the field next to Lucerne Lakeside Mobile Home Park.
At the time, two horses were spotted nearby.
The woman was taken to the hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced dead, police added.
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“An autopsy was conducted, and initial findings show that she perished from blunt-force trauma to her body, with the injuries consistent to being trampled by a large animal, such as a horse,” the release reads.
As such, investigators said they spoke with residents in the mobile home park and learned that one of the neighbors frequently fed the horses.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this beloved woman who cared so much to interact and feed these horses,” Police Chief Vance Monroe said. “This was a terribly tragic accident, and we will pray for those she has left behind.”
Police also said they contacted the owner of the horses, who responded to the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
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