On July 14, 2007, the body of Kelly Lanthorne, a 37-year-old white female, was discovered behind an apartment complex located at 3750 Trovali Street in Orlando, Florida. She was found lying on her back near the west side of apartment 3754. Lanthorne had sustained a fatal gunshot wound, and her body was nude at the time of discovery. The Orange County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene around 10:51 a.m.
Lanthorne's death drew attention due to its similarities with other unsolved homicides in the region, particularly those attributed to the so-called Daytona Beach Killer. Between 2005 and 2007, several women, many of whom were involved in sex work, were found murdered along Florida's eastern coast. These victims were often shot execution-style and left in secluded areas. Lanthorne's case shared these characteristics, leading investigators to consider a possible connection.
In 2019, Robert Tyrone Hayes, a 43-year-old Black male, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder related to the Daytona Beach killings. Hayes was linked to the crimes through DNA evidence and ballistic matches. However, while Lanthorne's murder bore similarities to Hayes' known victims, her case has not been conclusively connected to him, and no charges have been filed in relation to her death.
Prior to her death, Lanthorne had a criminal history, including arrests for cocaine possession, resisting an officer with violence, and escape. These offenses occurred in the early 2000s, and she served time in a Florida correctional facility before her release in 2003.
As of now, Kelly Lanthorne's murder remains unsolved. The Orange County Sheriff's Office continues to seek information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of her killer. Anyone with knowledge about the case is encouraged to contact the authorities.
