Woman Accused Of Homicide, Arson In FL Camper Trailer Fire That Left 1 Dead

NOKOMIS, FL — Juanita M. Pendell, 44, was detained at Sarasota County Jail in connection with an early Tuesday morning camper trailer fire in Nokomis that left a man dead, authorities said.

She is being processed for the charges of homicide and first-degree arson, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies, the Sarasota County Fire Department and the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the fire at 255 N. Tamiami Trail, Lot 44, at 1:10 a.m.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the trailer engulfed in flames, the sheriff’s office said.

They found a man unconscious and not breathing in the trailer. He was removed from the structure and though paramedics performed life-saving measures on him, he was pronounced dead at 1:48 a.m.

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The victim’s name hasn’t been released yet because his next of kin hasn’t been notified.

The State Fire Marshall and the Medical Examiner’s Office were contacted and responded to the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding the deadly fire is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477) or at www.crimestoppers.com.

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