Woman taken into custody following man’s death in camper blaze at Sarasota County trailer park, SCSO reports.

Key Information

• Location: Palm & Pines Mobile Home & RV Park, Nokomis, Fla.
• Arrested: Juanita Pendell, 44
• Charges: Homicide and first-degree arson
• Incident Time: Early Tuesday, shortly after 1 a.m.
• Victim: Found unconscious inside a camper trailer, later pronounced dead

NOKOMIS, Fla. – A woman has been arrested after a camper trailer fire at a mobile home park early Tuesday left a man dead, according to Sarasota County deputies.

Juanita Pendell, 44, has been charged with homicide and first-degree arson and is currently held at the Sarasota County Jail.

Emergency crews responded to the incident around 1 a.m. Tuesday at the Palm & Pines Mobile Home & RV Park, situated off Tamiami Trail in Nokomis.

Witnesses reported seeing flames at approximately 1:10 a.m. local time. Resident Floyd Ellenbecker recalled waking up to the sight of investigators on the scene.

“I saw the squad cars and the fire truck,” he stated, expressing his shock at the fire’s occurrence in such a flammable environment. “That’s highly unusual to have a fire,” he commented.

Ellenbecker noted that the area had seen previous disturbances, mentioning, “They were just partying up there, and you get used to that. Especially if it’s the same area.”

Deputies discovered the victim unconscious inside the camper trailer and attempted CPR, but he was ultimately pronounced dead.

“There are some witnesses. The criminal investigation section is currently working with them,” Matt Binkley of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office mentioned.

In light of the tragedy, investigators from the fire marshal’s office and medical examiner’s office are following up on their inquiries.

The authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section at 941-861-4900 or Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS (8477).

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