Pasco Woman's Body Found In Woods; Father Of Her Child Charged

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation into the homicide of a woman in a wooded area near the intersection of Plathe and Little roads.

On Wednesday, deputies were asked by the victim's mother to check on her daughter. Her daughter and grandchild were last seen leaving the Trinity area with Robert Edward Brunda, 32, of Pampa Way, Port Richey, the father of the child.

A short time later, Brunda arrived at his mother's house in New Port Richey with the child, who was unharmed. He was detained by a deputy who was at the home trying to locate the victim.

Deputies have been called to the home previously for welfare checks and Brunda has been detained for trespassing at the victim's home and at a homeless camp near the intersection of Plathe and Little roads.

Brunda admitted to deputies that he was at both locations earlier that night and said he saw the victim at the homeless camp.

After a search, deputies found the woman dead near the homeless camp. There were no obvious signs of trauma to explain her death. However, the medical examiner now says she was strangled and has ruled her death a homicide.

Deputies believe she was killed during a domestic violence incident

Brunda was charged with homicide. He remains at the Land O' Lakes Detention Center. His bail is set at $150,000.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and victim advocate supervisor, Gina Youmans, discuss resources available to help victims of domestic violence here.

The sheriff's office has victim advocates available 24 hours a day, regardless of whether the victim has filed a police report or not.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE, and can provide resources for victims as well.