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Human remains found in missing woman's mobile home

By JACOB H. FRIES and CASEY CORA
Published March 9, 2007

LARGO - While investigating the mysterious disappearance of a 68-year-old Largo woman, homicide detectives on Thursday uncovered human remains in her mobile home.

Detectives discovered a body covered in concrete under the floor around 8:30 p.m. Investigators are awaiting autopsy results to identify the remains and determine the cause of death.

Patricia Rita Steck, who lives in the Oak Crest Mobile Home Park at 9925 Ulmerton Road, was last seen by neighbors Feb. 4, authorities said. A relative who lives out of state reported her missing Friday, and deputies knocked on her door.

Investigators returned on Saturday to conduct a "welfare check," went inside her home on Lot 298 and found no sign of Steck, sheriff's Sgt. Jim Bordner said. He would not say what investigators had learned in the following days that prompted them to return for a second look Thursday.

Detectives said they would like to interview William F. Hommel Jr., 61, who lived at the mobile home, but said his whereabouts are unknown.

Hommel has an outstanding warrant for his arrest on a grand theft charge and was last seen at the residence sometime around Saturday, authorities said.

Deputies secured the home Wednesday, but did not obtain a search warrant to go inside until Thursday afternoon, when crime scene investigators carried saws and power tools inside.

Before the search, neighbors were left with rumors and speculation. Seeing detectives and forensic specialists at her home Thursday, most feared the worst.

"I'm very concerned," neighbor Carol Jasen said. "We have no idea what happened to her."

This updates a story that appears in some regional editions of today's Times. Jacob H. Fries can be reached at 445-4156 or jfries@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 9, 2007, 06:06:17]