Officials identify body of woman

By ERIN SULLIVAN, Times Staff Writer
Published December 14, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - A body found in the woods earlier this week has been identified as Dominique Lewis, a 19-year-old from St. Petersburg.

Her body was found a little after 10 a.m. Tuesday in forest near Brooksville Rock Road. A CSX railroad worker reported a foul smell and swarming vultures to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. Deputies found the body. The Sheriff's Office described it as a "recent" death.

Lewis, who also was known as Dominique, had been arrested for fraud and disorderly conduct in the past few years, according to a records search. Her last known address was 1637 18th Ave. N, Apt. C, in St. Petersburg.

Lewis had 8-inch braided extensions colored purple at the ends, and she was wearing gold-colored hoop earrings with dolphins.

She has a tattoo on her left wrist with a name, possibly Jeremy or Jimmy, and star bursts on either side. The tops of her feet are marked in Old English lettering. "Libra" on the right and an unrecognizable image on the left.

The sheriff's office is not releasing more information, such as the cause of death, because it is an open case.

If anyone has information regarding this case, please call the Sheriff's Office at 352 754-6830. Calls can be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (866) 990-TIPS (8477). Information might lead to a monetary reward.

Times researcher Angie Holan contributed to this story. Erin Sullivan can be reached at esullivan@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4609.

[Last modified December 13, 2007, 20:31:29]