Around the state

Three adults, one child killed in plane crash

MIAMI -- Four people, one a child, were killed Monday when the twin-engine plane they were in crashed in water off South Florida.

The six-seater, Piper PA-23 aircraft bound for Bimini had been reported overdue by Miami Flight Service Station. Killed in the crash eight miles east of Miami were Al Gustinger, Erik Gustinger and Idel Gustinger, and Erik Gustinger Jr., 7. The cause is under investigation.

Tip leads to lake search for two missing bodies

CLERMONT -- A tip from a woman charged in the deaths of two men who disappeared 4 1/2 years ago led authorities to conduct a three-day search in Lake County for the men's bodies.

Deputies from Lake and Orange counties searched Sunday for the bodies of Vincent Morgan and Heyward Howard. The men were last seen in June 1998 and are presumed dead.

Officers started looking Friday after Conchita Slayton, 32, of Winter Garden, led them to the woods where she said two men were killed, Lake County sheriff's Sgt. John Allen said.

Slayton was charged in June with second-degree murder in the death of Morgan, a Winter Garden man who was 29 when he disappeared. Within the past few weeks, she also has been charged in the death of Howard, 36.

Slayton was linked to Morgan's death after his blood was found in her home, Allen said. Morgan died of a gunshot wound to the neck, the arrest report said.

Howard also died of a gunshot wound, Allen said. Investigators found spattered blood and bullet casings in the home.

Boy, 13, dies swimming with chain around waist

STUART -- A teenage boy drowned while trying to swim across a Martin County pond with a heavy chain wrapped around his waist, authorities said Monday.

Anthony Alfonson, 13, died Sunday as he and five other children were trying to find out what they could carry across the pond, Martin County sheriff's spokeswoman Sgt. Jenell Atlas said. The other children had swum across with a milk jug filled with water and a baby stroller.

When Anthony sank, the other children told neighbors, who called police shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday, Atlas said.

Wild hogs laying siege to Palm City community

PALM CITY -- Dozens of wild hogs have been running rampant in this Martin County town, scarring yards in search of food and causing thousands of dollars in damage. The hogs come out at night and can wipe out an entire lawn in a few nights.

Resident Len Hoag is upset that the county and the state both insist that trapping the hogs is not their job.

Martin County animal control officials say the job should be left to state wildlife regulators, who say it's up to landowners.The Martin Downs Homeowners Association hired trappers to remove about 10 hogs from Hoag's neighborhood.

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