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Marion deputies ask for help solving 4 unsolved 2022 homicides

Sheriff Billy Woods urged possible witnesses to provide tips

Marion Sheriff Billy Woods called on the public to help investigators solve the 2022 homicides of four separate people. (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced on social media Thursday that detectives are asking the public for help in solving four homicide cases from last year.

“Last week, I asked for your help in providing tips that could help bring justice for the victims of unsolved murders. And citizens, your tips are of monumental assistance to my detectives,” Marion Sheriff Billy Woods said in a video. “So I’m going to ask for your help again.”

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Deputies said that on Jan. 31, 2022, at around 9 p.m. in the 3400 block of NW 16th Ave., they found 36-year-old LaToya Reaves, who had been shot.

36-year-old LaToya Reaves (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

Reaves was taken to the hospital afterward, where she died from her injuries the next day, deputies said.

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“Now, someone saw something, and someone knows something, but no one has uttered a word to help us,” Woods said. “We have had zero tips that could help us catch her killer.”

Later that year on July 18, deputies said they found the body of 23-year-old Dequandre Alexander.

According to MCSO, Alexander was discovered dead along the roadway in the 15700 block of NW 41st Ave. in Reddick at around 10:15 a.m., having been shot. He was a Gainesville resident, detectives added.

23-year-old Dequandre Alexander (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

The third case happened on Aug. 6, 2022, at around 1:48 a.m. after deputies responded to a report about a shooting at a home along the 4700 block of West Highway 318 in Citra, deputies said.

In a release, deputies said that 16-year-old Kent Patterson, Jr. was found dead inside the home.

16-year-old Kent Patterson, Jr. (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

The final homicide case was sparked on Nov. 9 after deputies found the body of another teen at a cemetery in Reddick, the release shows.

Deputies said that 16-year-old Kenneth Carr, Jr. was found dead at the Campground Cemetery at 8565 NW 130th Street after he was shot.

16-year-old Kenneth Carr, Jr. (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

Carr’s body was found on the grave of Patterson — the same teen who was previously found dead in August.

Carr had been reported missing by his family the day before.

Anyone with information on the above homicides is urged to contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-7867 and reference the following in their tips:

  • For information in the death of LaToya Reaves: 22-04
  • For information in the death of Dequandre Alexander: 22-39
  • For information in the death of Kent Patterson, Jr.: 22-45
  • For information in the death of Kenneth Carr, Jr.: 22-63

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