Sheriff’s office heats up investigation of beating case

A telephone that may have been stolen from the 96-year-old woman who was beaten in July has been declared an item of interest by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).

 Lila Leach, of Newberry, was severely beaten in her home at 322 NW 259th Terrace on July 16 and died on Sept. 6 after being taken off of life support.

Leach had been hospitalized at Shands at the University of Florida since the attack. She incurred several fractures and broken bones and suffered brain damage as a result of the beating.

According to Lt. Steve Maynard, spokesman for 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.

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 to 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 because her house was left in a state of disarray.

Deputies will be canvassing neighborhoods and businesses throughout the city of Newberry on Friday starting at 7 a.m. in hopes of finding more leads in the case.

“Somewhere out there some person knows something about this attack,” Maynard 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.”

Anyone with information about this case can call ACSO at 352-955-1818. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible to receive a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 352-372-STOP.