The 96-year-old Newberry woman who was severely beaten in her home on July 16 died on Monday morning after being taken off of life support.The victim, Lila Leach, had been hospitalized at Shands at the University of Florida since the attack. She incurred several fractures and broken bones and suffered from brain damage as a result of the beating.
According to Lt. Steve Maynard, spokesman for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), investigators are waiting for autopsy results to determine the cause of death. If Leach’s death is determined to be a direct result of the beating, anyone charged with her attack could face murder charges.
Maynard said that Leach was “perfectly healthy” for her age before the attack, other than having to take eye drops for glaucoma.
Leach lived in Newberry from 1975 to 1993 before moving to Gainesville. She returned to Newberry in May 2010 in order to be closer to her daughter, Elaine May, and be part of the Newberry community again.
The attack occurred during the afternoon of July 16 in between routine visits from her family. It is being investigated as a potential burglary interrupted. Deputies said that the house was left in a state of disarray.
Maynard was unable to disclose whether anything had been stolen from Leach’s home at 322 NW 259th Terrace, but said that ACSO is actively questioning suspects and examining forensic evidence.
“Somewhere out there some person knows something about this attack,” he said.
One question that remains is why a burglar would need to savagely beat an elderly woman in order to rob the home.
“There was absolutely no reason for it,” Maynard said. “Anyone could have walked in her house, taken anything they wanted and walked out.”
A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, located at 3745 NW 16th Boulevard in Gainesville. For those who wish to make a monetary donation instead of giving flowers, the Lila Leach Memorial Fund has been set up at the Tower Road branch of M&S Bank in Gainesville, with proceeds going to Seniors Against Crime.
Anyone who has information about this crime can call the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at 352-955-1818 or Crime Stoppers at 352-374-7867. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for a tip that leads to an arrest.