Bernadine M. Montgomery, an 84-year-old resident of Leesburg, Florida, was last seen at her home in the 100 block of Palmora Boulevard on June 15, 2016. A neighbor reported her missing on June 22, prompting a police investigation. Upon entering her residence, authorities discovered bloodstains and other evidence suggesting foul play. Shortly after her disappearance, Montgomery's blue 2005 Chevrolet was found abandoned at a park near Lake Harris, not far from her home.
The investigation initially led to the arrest of Jeremy David Gentry for grand theft auto after a neighbor witnessed him driving Montgomery's car two days after she was last seen. Gentry, who had a previous prison record for forgery in Tennessee, claimed he couldn't remember Montgomery's whereabouts due to drug use. Months before her disappearance, in April 2016, the Lake County Sheriff's Office had visited Montgomery to investigate concerns that she was being financially exploited by two convicted felons who were assisting her with home maintenance. An employee of a local business, All About Water and Solar, had also reported suspicious payments from Montgomery for work that was never completed. Despite these warnings, Montgomery denied being taken advantage of and refused to press charges.
In July 2016, the case took a significant turn with the arrests of David Adam Mariotti and Tracie Jo Naffziger. Mariotti was ultimately charged with first-degree murder, and Naffziger was charged as an accessory. Prosecutors alleged that Mariotti had befriended Montgomery with the intent to steal from her. According to investigators, Mariotti attacked and strangled Montgomery with a rope when she discovered Naffziger stealing from her home and threatened to contact the police. The pair then reportedly kept her body in the house for several days before dumping it in a wooded area in the Palatka area, about 75 miles north of Leesburg. They also used her credit cards and pawned her belongings.
In a plea deal, Tracie Jo Naffziger pleaded no contest to accessory after the fact to second-degree murder and credit card fraud in March 2018. She agreed to testify against Mariotti in exchange for a pretrial intervention sentence. During her testimony, Naffziger admitted to helping dispose of Montgomery's body and using her credit cards but claimed she was not present during the murder. In April 2018, David Mariotti was convicted of first-degree murder and burglary of a dwelling with battery. He was sentenced to life in prison after the jury's recommendation for the death penalty was not unanimous.
Last Seen: Jun 15, 2016
