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Woman's slaying remains puzzling

She was quiet and helpful, but died in a violent home invasion.

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published October 25, 2006

TAMPA - Olivia Roane's violent death could not be more different from the rest of her quiet, happy life, her family says.

Roane, 54, was lying on her couch watching television Monday evening when a man kicked down her door and opened fire, killing her, according to deputies and her family.

"I'm just distraught over what happened," said her sister, Virginia Anderson, 59. "She was always there for people. We know we have to die, but the way she died?"

Roane had been relaxing in her east Tampa apartment at Hunters Pointe, 6806 N 50th St., preparing to work the late night shift at Verizon, her sister said.

Roane's boyfriend of 14 years was there, too, as was a minor girl not related to Roane.

Suddenly, about 7:45 p.m., a man burst in and fatally shot Roane, deputies say.

Deputies described the shooter as a 20- to 21-year-old black man, about 6 feet tall and 185 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and jeans shorts and was armed with a handgun.

An autopsy was performed Tuesday, but the results have not been released.

Born and raised in Tampa, Roane graduated in the late 1960s from Middleton High School. In high school, she won a citywide beauty contest, her sister said. Roane attended the First Baptist Church of College Hill.

She worked for Verizon for 13 or 14 years, her sister said.

Roane, who has two grown children, spent her free time with her four grandchildren.

Her family wonders who the killer is. They've heard the man may have fought with one of Roane's neighbors. They hope answers come soon.

"The entire family is just really distraught," Anderson said.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter declined to comment on the investigation. Anyone with information can call the Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.

Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this report.

[Last modified October 25, 2006, 00:48:54]