Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods is asking for the public’s help in providing tips that could help lead to justice for two separate homicide cases.
“We know there are murderers on our streets of Marion County right now and we need your help to bring them to justice,” stated Sheriff Woods during his regular Wanted by Woods Wednesday segment on Facebook.
The murder of 59-year-old Timothy Floyd Smith
On Saturday, March 25, at around 10:50 a.m., MCSO deputies responded to a residence in Citrus Park to conduct a well-being check on 59-year-old Timothy Floyd Smith because he had failed to show up for work the previous day. When deputies entered the home, they located Smith’s body, and he appeared to have suffered a violent attack prior to his death, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Woods stated that Smith was last seen leaving work at approximately 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 23.
MCSO Major Crimes detectives are attempting to gather more information about Smith’s whereabouts, including anyone he may have come into contact with, in the days leading up to his death. In addition, detectives would like to speak with individuals who knew Smith in order to learn about any motives that somebody may have had to take his life.
If you have any information on Smith’s whereabouts or who he may have been associating with in the days leading up to his death, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office asks that you contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867) and reference 23-21 in your tip.
The fatal shooting of three teenagers in Ocklawaha
On Thursday, March 30, shortly after 10:50 p.m., MCSO deputies responded to the area of Forest Lakes Park on SE 183rd Avenue Road in Ocklawaha in reference to an injured female who was laying on the side of the road.
Upon arrival, deputies located a 16-year-old girl, later identified as Layla Silvernail, who had been shot. She was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, and she was later pronounced deceased.
The following day, at approximately 7:55 a.m., deputies responded to the area of SE 94th Street and SE 188th Court in Ocklawaha in reference to another person who had been found on the side of the road. Deputies quickly arrived on scene and discovered the body of a 17-year-old boy who had been fatally shot. According to MCSO, the male victim’s name is being withheld at the request of his next of kin pursuant to Marsy’s Law.
On Saturday, April 1, at around 12:40 p.m, deputies received information relating to the homicide investigation and responded to the area of Malauka Loop and Malauka Loop Trace in Ocklawaha. Upon arrival, deputies located Silvernail’s vehicle, a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze, which was partially submerged at the edge of a nearby body of water.
The MCSO Forensic Unit and Underwater Recovery Team arrived at the location to process the scene and search for additional evidence. According to the sheriff’s office, the interior of the vehicle was searched and the body of a deceased 16-year-old girl was found. Her name is also being withheld at the request of her next of kin.
In this week’s Wanted by Woods Wednesday Facebook segment, Sheriff Woods shared a picture of the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze that belonged to Silvernail:
According to Sheriff Woods, Silvernail’s vehicle was in the area of Forest Lakes Park on SE 183rd Avenue Road in Ocklawaha at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. The vehicle was also located at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 at Malauka Loop Trace in Ocklawaha. MCSO detectives want to know if anyone saw this vehicle around these times.
If you have any information, or if you saw or heard anything suspicious around the time of the fatal shootings, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office asks that you contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867) and reference 23-22 in your tip.
Sheriff Woods concluded this week’s Wanted by Woods segment with a message to the citizens of Marion County: “You’re always there for me, and you do an outstanding job of helping me protect our community. More than ever, I need your help now. Let’s get these murderers off the streets.”