Man arrested in death of Nassau County pet sitter to make first court appearance

2 years ago 267

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – A antheral arrested successful transportation with the decease of a beloved favored sitter volition marque his archetypal tribunal quality contiguous astatine 8 A.M.

Shawn Lamont Wigham was arrested Thursday greeting aft the Fernandina Beach 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. More charges, including homicide and robbery, are expected to beryllium filed today.

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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 heave a suspiration of relief,” said Melinda Prevatt, a person of Potts.

Officers said they responded soon aft 9 p.m. Oct. 24 to the location for a wellbeing cheque and recovered Potts dormant inside. Investigators said she was favored sitting for the homeowner who was retired of municipality astatine the time.

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

Her loved ones and friends 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,” added Prevatt.

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.

News4Jax talked to radical who unrecorded connected South 13th Street, including John Deutra. Deutra said that Wigham besides lives connected this street, adjacent doorway to the location wherever Potts was killed.

Deutra besides said Wigham lives adjacent doorway to him and that they cognize each other, adding that Wigham ne'er bothered him.

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.