Lakeland Man's Murder Prompts $5,000 Reward Offer

LAKELAND, FL — The Wednesday evening discovery of a man’s body in woods at the former Skyview Golf Course has prompted a homicide investigation. It's also led to an offer of a $5,000 reward for information that results in an arrest in the case.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the body of Preston Burnett, 29, of Lakeland was found by a passerby just after 5:30 p.m. May 10 in the woods off Skyview Boulevard.

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According to the sheriff's office, Burnett was "violently murdered and left there." An autopsy was being conducted Thursday to determine an official cause of death.

Authorities are still trying to piece together what happened in the days and hours prior to Burnett's death. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said officials from the Auburndale Police Department reported one of their corporals saw Burnett in downtown Auburndale on Tuesday around 2:30 a.m.

Burnett was reportedly taken to his ex-girlfriend's home at that time. He ex-girlfriend, who has not been identified, told deputies Burnett left her home right after arriving, saying "They might find me." He did not elaborate on who might find him, but indicated he had been in a fight with two males in Auburndale's downtown area.

"We know that someone knows what happened to Preston Burnett," Judd said in a Thursday statement. "There is a$5,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects responsible for his brutal murder. Please call Heartland CrimeStoppers and help us solve this crime."

To provide a tip, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS. Tips may also be submitted online at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.

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