DNA Match Leads To Murder Charges In N. Tamiami Trail Death: Sarasota Police

Updated: 3:17 p.m., Monday

SARASOTA, FL — A 52-year-old Sarasota man faces murder charges related to the death of Kelliann Ripley, 48, also of Sarasota. Her body was found Feb. 25 near the Centennial Park boat ramp on North Tamiami Trail, according to Sarasota police.

William Devonshire was arrested Friday at Pioneer Park in Sarasota and initially charged with trespassing, cocaine possession and paraphernalia possession.

DNA evidence collected from Ripley during her autopsy connected Devonshire to her homicide, leading to the additional charge of murder, police said.

“This case was solved using science and technology, but it was also solved thanks to the non-stop dedication and hard work of Sarasota Police officers and detectives,” interim police Chief Rex Troche said. “The men and women of our agency sacrificed their nights, weekends, and time away from their families to make sure justice was brought in this case.”

Devonshire is also a “strong suspect” in the death of a second victim, a 59-year-old Sarasota woman, whose body was found March 10 near the 1900 block of North Tamiami Trail, close to the shore of Whitaker Bayou, according to SPD.

Related Story: With 2 Sarasota Women Dead, Police Ask Public For Help

Detectives believe the two deaths are connected based on facts and evidence found in both cases. They’re continuing to investigate whether the suspect and victims knew one another.

Both victims’ identities were previously protected under Marsy’s Law, but Ripley’s family changed their mind, allowing her name to be released publicly.

On Feb. 25, Sarasota police responded to a wooded area in the 1100 block of North Tamiami Trail, where Ripley’s body was found.

The next day, the 12th District Medical Examiner’s Office determined her death was the result of homicidal violence caused by blunt force trauma and manual strangulation, police said. Evidence collected from her autopsy was submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for analysis.

Devonshire voluntarily gave a buccal swab, which is used to collect DNA samples from a person’s mouth, to Sarasota police on March 15.

The FDLE told Sarasota police on Saturday that his DNA matched swabs collected from Ripley during her autopsy.

Devonshire has criminal histories in New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, Delaware, and Florida including charges of assault, aggravated harassment, disorderly contact, battery, burglary and trespassing. He was charged in 2003 and convicted in 2005 of murder in Delaware.

He is currently being held at Sarasota County Jail on no bond.

Prior to Devonshire’s arrest, [police haven’t released much information about case, including the victims’ manner of death or how their bodies were found.

"Certain details cannot be released at this time to safeguard the investigation," Troche said during a March 10 news conference.

Since the bodies were found, police patrols have increased in the area of North Tamiami Trail and other parts of the city. The department is using members of its Homeless Outreach Team and members of the Community Action Team, who have been focusing their policing efforts on the surge in gun violence in the city's north district since February, to increase patrols, Troche said.

Officers who are regularly assigned to the area of the crime scenes "are going to be more vigilant, as well," the interim police chief said.

He also asked that Sarasota residents and visitors remain vigilant during the agency's homicide investigations.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sarasota Police Department at 941-263-6070 or Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County at 941-366-TIPS (8477).