Florida man in custody on drug, trespassing charges now accused of murdering homeless woman, police say

Police in Florida investigating two unsolved homicides in the same area believe they have the culprit of one in custody, law enforcement officials said.

Police in Florida investigating two homicides believe they have the culprit of one in custody, law enforcement officials said.

On March 25, Sarasota police arrested William Devonshire, 52, on charges of trespassing, possession of cocaine, and possession of paraphernalia, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.

According to police, investigators then developed probable cause that allegedly connected Devonshire to the case of a homeless woman found dead on North Tamiami Trail on Feb. 25.

Nearly two weeks later, on March 10, and around half a mile away, the body of a second woman was discovered on the same trail.

Police charged Devonshire with the first woman’s murder and he is being held without bail at the Sarasota County jail, according to jail records.

Authorities have not said if the two cases are connected or if Devonshire is also a person of interest in the second woman’s suspicious death.