Rhiannon W. Layendecker, aged 51, tragically passed away on December 16, 2017, in Englewood, Florida. Her death was the result of a violent incident that shocked the local community. According to reports, Layendecker was shot by her wife, Jessica J. Winkler, during an argument at their home. The altercation escalated, leading Winkler to retrieve a firearm and fatally shoot Layendecker. The medical examiner confirmed that Layendecker died from a single gunshot wound.
Following the incident, Winkler attempted to cover up the crime. She moved Layendecker's body using a chair with wheels and placed it in the bed of a truck. Winkler then called 911 approximately 15 hours after the shooting, confessing to the crime and informing the operator about the location of Layendecker's body. She also admitted to planning to bury the body in a hole she had dug at a family property in Charlotte County. The firearm used in the shooting was discarded in a nearby body of water but was later recovered by the Sheriff's Office dive team.
Jessica Winkler was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. She was taken into custody by Sarasota County deputies and remains in jail without bond for the murder charge. The case garnered significant media attention due to the nature of the crime and the subsequent attempts to conceal it. The legal proceedings against Winkler are ongoing, with the community closely following the developments in the case.
