Man arrested in death of Nassau County pet sitter

2 years ago 247

Photo of Colleen Potts from household member. (News4Jax.com.)

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – A antheral was arrested successful transportation with the decease of a beloved favored sitter, the Fernandina Beach Police Department said Thursday.

Shawn Lamont Wigham was arrested Thursday greeting aft the Police Department and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office served hunt warrants astatine a location successful Fernandina Beach.

Police said Wigham is presently charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to police, said much charges are expected to beryllium filed Friday.

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Colleen Potts, 73, of Yulee, was found dormant successful October successful a location connected South 13th Street adjacent Date Street successful Fernandina Beach. Police described Potts’ decease arsenic “a unspeakable tragedy.”

“I deliberation the assemblage tin present person a suspiration of relief,” said Melinda Prevatt, person of Colleen Potts.

Officers said they responded soon aft 9 p.m. Oct. 24 to the location for a wellbeing cheque and recovered Potts, who was favored sitting for the homeowner, dormant inside.

Potts was past seen successful the aboriginal hours of that evening driving her car, constabulary said.

Her loved ones and friends, similar John Deutra, privation to marque definite her representation is kept alive.

“She ever went supra and beyond. It was ne'er conscionable a occupation for her. It was ne'er conscionable someone’s canine oregon someone’s cat—it was hers,” helium said.

Police noted that the location wherever she was recovered was not successful disarray and determination were nary evident signs of a struggle. The dogs that were protective of the location erstwhile constabulary showed up were besides not injured and were inactive wrong the location erstwhile constabulary showed up.

In a quality merchandise Thursday, constabulary noted that Wigham is simply a section handyman, who “is acquainted to the country and proprietor of the residence” wherever Potts was found.

In aboriginal December, police held a municipality hallway meeting to supply an update connected the probe into Potts’ death. Investigators said they conducted 25 interviews, collected 85 pieces of evidence, took 989 photos and reviewed aggregate surveillance camera videos.