Few details revealed about woman's death

Largo police say she died by "homicidal means.'' She was found Monday in her apartment.

By JANE MEINHARDT

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 17, 2000

LARGO -- Two weeks after moving into a new apartment in Largo, Vickie Lewis was found dead in her bathtub.

According to the preliminary findings of an autopsy Tuesday, the 45-year-old woman died from what Largo police would only describe as "homicidal means."

Lewis' boyfriend, 51-year-old Thomas A. Iaquinta, told police he found her body shortly after 5 p.m. Monday in her apartment at Canterbury Villas at 1200 Seminole Blvd.

Lewis formerly lived in the same gated condominium complex as Iaquinta. Public records indicate they lived in separate units.

Police spokesman Mac Williams said Iaquinta, who lives in the New Atlantis condominium complex at 12760 Indian Rocks Road, was being questioned by detectives Tuesday. Williams declined to say whether he was considered a suspect.

Police found no signs that her one-bedroom apartment was burglarized. The sliding glass door to her rear patio was open, Williams said.

"We don't know yet if there's anything missing," he said. "With her living there by herself and just moving in, it's difficult to tell."

Canterbury Villas apartments are small, one-story units sandwiched between Seminole Boulevard on the east and a mobile home complex on the west. Her apartment was on the west boundary of the complex, and her rear patio overlooked a fence and mobile homes.

"Poor soul, poor soul," said resident Blanche Ferrentino. "I didn't know her, but I'm scared."

Williams said Lewis and Iaquinta were together Sunday. It was unclear when she was last seen alive.

Her body was clothed and in a bathtub half-full of bloody water, he said. There was also blood in the living room.

Neighbors, who did not know Lewis, said they heard nothing unusual Sunday night or Monday.

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