ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The remains of a woman missing since July 16 were found in a house fire, according to officials.
Detectives have been actively searching for 42-year-old Kelli Fisher, who left her home in the 1700 block of Prescott Street South in her aunt's car on July 16 and never returned.
Fisher's aunt reported her missing the next day.
"Normally, she would borrow the vehicle to run to the store or do whatever she needs," said Major Shannon Halstead. "But she never returned home. The aunt became concerned and initiated a missing persons report."
Officers discovered the aunt's vehicle on July 18 in an abandoned lot near 803 28th Avenue South, with the front driver's side door open. However, there was no sign of Fisher.
Authorities found three cell phones in the car and a small amount of cash on the dashboard.
"Normally, if there was a theft, someone would take values like that," Major Halstead said. "Because there are three devices, none of them that we are able to connect to Kelli. We need to find out who those devices belong to."
Detectives are working with the State Attorney's Office to get search warrants for their cell phones, but as their investigation continued, they found another twist to the case.
On July 28, 12 days after she went missing, a fire occurred at the house next door to Fisher's. Her remains were found inside the home.
"I know that my daughter is not the only one going through this difficult time, but she is not a criminal," said Lourdes Martinez. "She does not deserve to be there."
A Sarasota family is shaken up after being separated from their daughter. Federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 22-year-old daughter, Maria Martinez. And now, they are demanding for her return.
