Lightsey death ruled homicide
November 13, 2008
Historic City News has received word from the St. Johns County Medical Examiner’s Office that the death of Vilano Beach swimmer Melissa Lee Lightsey was in deed a homicide.
Benjamin C. Lightsey, the victim’s husband, last reported that the 36 year-old victim was swimming in chest deep water near Surfside Park around midnight Sunday morning. Lightsey had attended a wedding reception Saturday night.
Sheriff’s media relations officials reported that trauma to the body was noticed on the recovered body and appeared to have possibly been caused by a passing motorboat. Soon thereafter, an announcement was made that the circumstances surrounding Lightsey’s death were “suspicious”.
Today, we have received word from District 23 Medical Examiner Terrence Steiner that after conducting an autopsy, it has been determined that the death of Melissa Lee Lightsey was not due to saltwater drowning.
The cause of death was trauma to the head face and neck. The manner of death is homicide.
It was also determined that there was no gross evidence of sexual assault.
The “boating injuries” consisted of three postmortem propeller-type lacerations to the posterior body.
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I’m so so sorry to hear this horrific, disgusting news. I am at a loss for words.
Melissa was a normal girl who wanted a normal life. I love her and miss her. She was so positive. Her tatooes were of flowers and she named her daughter after the sun. She was from a good family and that is all she wanted was to raise her kids with the same love and respect that she was brought up with. she was not perfect but who is? She was constantly striving to better herself. She was my friend and confidant. My family will miss her and one day i hope to tell her kids how much they were loved.