Stay Connected: RSS | Email Alerts | Mobile & iPhone
Print this Story
Set Text Size SmallSet Text Size MediumSet Text Size LargeSet Text Size X-Large

Doctor's wife died from blunt force trauma

Reported by: Carson Chambers
Email: cchambers@wfts.com
Last Update: 8/06/2009 2:44 pm
BRADENTON, FL -- The wife of a Manatee County doctor was bound before she was killed by blunt force, according to Manatee Sheriff Brad Steube.

The body of 48-year-old Kathleen Briles was found by her husband, Dr. James Briles, Monday night.  She had been dead 4 - 5 hours, according to investigators.

At a Thursday morning news conference, Sheriff Steube said investigators found sign of forced entry into the Bay Shore Drive home.

"Kathleen was found bound. She was not shot. She was not strangled. She was not sexually assaulted. She died as a result of blunt trauma," Steube told reporters.

He said items were taken from the home, but would not elaborate.  He said that over a two-day period, CSI investigators collected a "substantial amount of evidence," including blood samples, DNA, fingerprints and other forensic material.

Dr. Briles, who is an associate at a general practice health care facility, has been ruled out as a suspect.

Sheriff Steube said investigators are looking at possible similarities with other recent violent home invasions.

"I've been asked numerous times, can we relate this to other home invasions in both Sarasota and Manatee counties?  We have not ruled it out," Steube said.

Detectives have gathered surveillance video from businesses near the home, but Steube would not say what investigators are looking for.

He said deputies will saturate the area with beefed-up patrols.

Anyone with information who can help detectives is asked to call the Manatee Sheriff's Office at  941-747-3011  or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

More Tampa Bay News
Five cars broken into in Manatee County
A thief or thieves broke into five vehicles early Tuesday morning and stole electronic equipment.
Secrets to get the best Valentines Day flowers
Plus, expert advice how to keep your cut flowers fresher, longer
Two bodies found in east Hillsborough County
The body of a teen was found in a Plant City home around the same time a man's body was found in Thonotosassa about ten miles away.
Florida death row inmate's execution allowed to proceed
The Florida Supreme Court rejected multiple claims by Martin Grossman allowing the death row inmate's execution on February 16 to proceed.
St. Pete woman charged with punching police officer face
Tracey Brown is charged with battery on a law enforcement officer.


Accu-Weather Forecast
Which coffee tastes best?
Consumer Reports taste-testers sipped their way through more than three dozen well-known coffee brands.
21 years ago today: UF student Tiffany Sessions vanished
The Alachua County Sheriff's has renewed its quest for information in the case. Tiffany's mother, Hillary Sessions spoke with Deiah Riley
  This site is hosted and managed by Inergize Digital.