Missing Wesley Chapel Woman 'May Be in a Desperate Situation'

The investigation into the whereabouts of a missing Wesley Chapel woman continued Tuesday with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office asking again for the public’s assistance.

Authorities indicated on Monday that evidence found at Linda V. Losacano’s home may indicate foul play in the case, however deputies continue to work the investigation as a missing person’s case.

“She may be in a desperate situation right now and we need to find her,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said during a press conference Tuesday.

Losacano, 49, and her 5-year-old daughter were reported missing Saturday, May 5, by Losacano's sister, who indicated she had not heard from her in about 17 days, Sheriff Chris Nocco said.

Deputies forced entry into the home they shared with the child’s father, Timothy Dean Arnold, 48, after attempts to perform welfare checks Saturday and early Sunday were unsuccessful.

Deputies stopped by the home at 27154 Ravens Brook Road at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, then again at 1:30 a.m. Sunday without response, Nocco said.

By 5 p.m. Sunday, the deputies’ major concern was for the welfare of the child, Nocco said.

"That’s why we kicked in that door,” Nocco said.

After entering, deputies heard shots fired within the residence. The child was found and safely taken out of the home at that time, according to the sheriff's office.

“The deputies that went into the house that night were heroes,” Nocco said.

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

The sheriff’s office would not elaborate on the evidence found by investigators at the home Monday that may indicate foul play.

“We’re working very diligently to try to locate Linda in this case,” Major Crimes Sgt. James Sessa said Tuesday.

"We're major crimes," Sessa said. "We consider the worst of any event no matter what."

Despite the evidence, "We can't jump to conclusions right away," Nocco said.

If Losacano is being held somewhere "we have to find her," he said. "There is no end to this story yet."

Losacano was last seen on or about April 14 in Pasco County.

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

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