Woman dead in the water off Little Torch Key

A 60-year-old Big Pine Key woman reported missing on Monday was found dead in the nearshore waters near 635 La Fitte Road, oceanside, on Little Torch Key on Tuesday afternoon.

The woman was identified as Julie LaPlante, formerly of 29192 Iris Drive on Big Pine Key.

Foul play is not suspected.

Lower Keys Sgt. Linda Mixon responded to 29192 Iris Road on Big Pine Key regarding a missing person about 11 a.m. on Monday.

Two men who live at the address — Steven R. Nelsen, 56, and another man — told Sgt. Mixon that LaPlante often argues with them, leaves, but usually returns. Such was the case Sunday, the day she was last seen by Nelsen and the other man. Both said they went to bed about 11 p.m., but woke Monday to find LaPlante had still not returned. Nelsen and the other man gave Sgt. Mixon a detailed description of LaPlante. Sgt. Mixon filed a missing person report for LaPlante. Nelsen was subsequently arrested by Sgt. Mixon for a violation of probation warrant out of Wisconsin and taken to jail.

Detectives were assigned to look for LaPlante thereafter.

The next day: Deputies Jose Henriquez and Donald Stullken were dispatched to 635 La Fitte Road on Little Torch Key about 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday in reference to a body that was found by a construction worker. The construction worker was working on a unoccupied house at that address when he noticed what appeared to be a person in the water close to a nearby empty lot at 625 La Fitte Road. The worker inspected closer and then called 911.

The body in the nearshore water matched the description of LaPlante given by Nelsen and the other man who lived with LaPlante.

How LaPlante ended up in the water is part of an ongoing investigation.

Autopsy results are pending.

 

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