Latoya Dimitria Owens, a 42-year-old African American woman, was tragically found dead on October 6, 2019, in her home in Winter Haven, Florida. Owens, along with 23-year-old Chanel Zhane Brown, was discovered with fatal gunshot wounds. The incident occurred at Owens' residence on Avenue V NW, across from Sportsman Park. The police investigation revealed that both women had been shot multiple times, with Owens suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
The investigation quickly
identified Antonio Jamar Davis, a 35-year-old man, as a person of interest. Davis, who had a prior relationship with Owens, turned himself in to the Lakeland Police Department on the same day for an unrelated outstanding warrant. He was subsequently held at the Polk County Jail. The police noted that Davis had been involved in a previous altercation at Owens' home in August, where he allegedly threatened her with a gun.
Further investigation and DNA evidence led to Davis being formally charged with the murders of Latoya Dimitria Owens and Chanel Zhane Brown. The DNA analysis, conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, matched Davis' DNA to samples collected from the crime scene, including fingernail clippings from Brown. This evidence was crucial in linking Davis to the crime.
Davis faced multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence. The case garnered significant attention due to the brutal nature of the killings and the relationship between Davis and Owens. Family and friends of the victims expressed their grief and called the murders senseless, highlighting Owens' role as a loving mother to four children.
The legal proceedings against Davis included his indictment by a Polk County grand jury. The indictment detailed the charges and the evidence against him, setting the stage for a trial. The community of Winter Haven was left in shock by the violent deaths of Owens and Brown, and the case underscored the ongoing issues of domestic violence and gun-related crimes.
