The last few days of August led to the discoveries in St. Lucie County of three dead bodies, including a pregnant woman. Two of the deaths were deemed homicides.
“This takes time,” Sheriff Ken Mascara told the media during a press conference late last week. “It’s not CSI.”
CSI refers to the popular crime TV show that depicts grisly murders being solved in about the time it takes to sip a cup of coffee.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of 23-year-old Tania Wise, whose body was found in a ditch on Aug. 24. She was pregnant, Sheriff Mascara confirmed, but he declined to say how far along she was. She wasn’t known to be dating anyone, the sheriff said, adding that authorities have not yet identified the father of her unborn child.
“Anyone who had any interaction with her in the days leading up to her death” needs to come forward with information, Sheriff Mascara said.
Mascara, at the same media briefing, announced the arrest of a man suspected of killing a 52-year-old woman in the Cypress Bay Mobile Home Park on U.S. 1 last Tuesday, Aug. 28.
“Her death was not natural,” Sheriff Mascara said of Bonnie Hanks. The sheriff would not elaborate on the cause or manner of death nor a motive.
Sheriff Mascara said that as he was giving the update, his deputies were arresting Hanks’ “significant other,” 50-year-old Jeffrey Alexander Yankowski.
Yankowski and Hanks cohabitated on occasion, the sheriff said, and was at the mobile home when authorities arrived. Sheriff Mascara said Yankowski is the one who called 911 to report Hanks’ being dead.
Based on the autopsy results, on-scene observations, and inconsistencies in Yankowski’s statements, the Sheriff’s Office was able to secure an arrest warrant for first-degree murder.
Mascara said Yankowski was already in jail on other charges when the warrant for murder was served.
“Domestic violence is kind of rampant in this community,” Sheriff Mascara said, adding that there is help available for those in need. He said law enforcement won’t know what is happening without a call. “Without a call, sometimes it ends in death.”
The sheriff also reported that a homeless man who was found dead off Ridgehaven Road died of natural causes.
Lynn “Rusty” Russell Conway, 58, had a long history of health issues, which contributed to his death, Sheriff Mascara said.
Conway’s body was discovered on Sunday, Aug. 26. He had been dead approximately 48 hours.
