Marion County Major Crimes detectives have identified the victim of a homicide this past weekend as 61-year-old Laura Russell.
Deputies were called to a home in the 12900 block of SE 4th Place on Sunday after Russell’s body was found wrapped in a sleeping bag in the trunk of her black Volkswagen, parked outside her home in the 12900 block of SE 4th Place in Silver Springs.
Meanwhile, a judge denied bail Monday morning for Eric Todd Gay, 36, the Ocala man who has been charged with first degree murder in connection with Russell’s death. During a first appearance hearing, the judge told Gay there was probable cause for his arrest and agreed to appoint a public defender him since he has no income.
When asked if had any questions about the proceedings, Gay rocked back and forth and answered, “No sir.”
Gray was taken into custody Sunday after witnesses found Russell’s body. Her roommate told deputies that Gay had taken the car to his camper, parked at 1660 NE 167th Terr., after spending Friday night at their home. She said she talked to Gay later Saturday and he told her Russell had already returned home.
The roommate said she later texted another woman who was at Gay’s camper and asked her to bring the Russell’s car back home, which she did.
Detectives have determined that Gay woke up around 6 a.m. Saturday and went into Russell’s bedroom to steal some of her prescription medicine. During the theft, Russell apparently woke up and Gay choked her until she was unconscious, the report says.
Detectives believe Gay thought he had killed Russell, so he wrapped her body in his sleeping bag. But when she started to regain consciousness, he struck her with a large flashlight and also used a telephone to choke her again, the report says.
Afterwards, Gay put Russell’s body in the trunk of her car and drove to his camper, the report says.
Sheriff’s officials said that after being arrested, Gay admitted to being addicted to methamphetamines and said he was trying to steal fentanyl patches and $200 from Russell’s purse when she woke up.
Gay is scheduled to be back in court July 3 at 9 a.m. for a felony arraignment hearing.
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