NEWS RELEASE 25-041 - AUGUST 5, 2025
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) is currently investigating a camper trailer fire located at 255 N. Tamiami Trail, Lot 44, Nokomis. Juanita M. Pendell, DOB 04/25/81, has been detained at the Sarasota County Jail and is being processed for the charges of Homicide and First Degree Arson.
On August 5 at 1:10 a.m., deputies, the Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD), and the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched in reference to a fire. SCFD arrived at the scene and observed the interior of the trailer to be engulfed in flames.
SCFD entered the trailer and located a person who was unconscious and not breathing. The victim was removed from the trailer and life-saving measures were attempted by paramedics. SCFD pronounced the white, male deceased at 1:48 a.m. The victim’s name cannot be released at this time as the next of kin has not been notified. The State Fire Marshall and Medical Examiner were contacted and responded to the scene. This is an ongoing investigation.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) is currently investigating a camper trailer fire located at 255 N. Tamiami Trail, Lot 44, Nokomis. Juanita M. Pendell, DOB 04/25/81, has been detained at the Sarasota County Jail and is being processed for the charges of Homicide and First Degree Arson.
On August 5 at 1:10 a.m., deputies, the Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD), and the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched in reference to a fire. SCFD arrived at the scene and observed the interior of the trailer to be engulfed in flames.
SCFD entered the trailer and located a person who was unconscious and not breathing. The victim was removed from the trailer and life-saving measures were attempted by paramedics. SCFD pronounced the white, male deceased at 1:48 a.m. The victim’s name cannot be released at this time as the next of kin has not been notified. The State Fire Marshall and Medical Examiner were contacted and responded to the scene. This is an ongoing investigation.