Update: Man Dead, Woman Missing from Wesley Chapel Area

A Wesley Chapel man is dead and a woman is still missing after deputies forced entry into their home Sunday evening.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies responded to  27154 Ravens Brook Road at about 5:30 p.m. in reference to a follow-up investigation on the whereabouts of Linda V. Losacano, 49, and her 5-year-old daughter.

The two had been reported missing by Losacano's sister, who at one point said she had not heard from her in 17 days, according to Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Deputies did a welfare check Saturday at 12:30 p.m., then another at 1:30 a.m. Sunday without response, Nocco said.

Deputies returned to the home at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, finding the door locked again and no one answering. Deputies forced entry into the home out of concern for the child, and as they were searching heard shots fired within the residence at 7:19 p.m.

The 5-year-old girl was found and safely taken out of the home at that time, according to the sheriff's office.

The SWAT team was called out at 8 p.m. When they entered the home at 9:17 p.m., Timothy Dean Arnold, 48,  was found "with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound," according to the sheriff's office. 

Losacano lived at the home with Arnold, along with the child, identified as their daughter, according to the sheriff's office. Losacano and Arnold were not married, Tobin said.

Losacano was last seen on or about April 14 in Pasco County. She is now classified as a missing endangered adult.

The sheriff's office is asking for the public's help in locating Losacano.

"We're hoping right now to still find her alive,"  Nocco said Monday.

According to a media release Monday afternoon,the sheriff's office major crimes unit is "digging in the yard searching for possible evidence that might lead to the discovery of Linda V. Losacano."  Dirt mounds in the yard were being checked, the release stated.

The child is now in the custody of Losacano's sister, according to the release.

If you have information about Losacano's whereabouts, contact Sgt. James Sessa  at 727-844-7711 or 727-844-7781.

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. May 7 to include additional details from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.