A Routine of Feeding Neighboring Horses Ends in Tragedy
On Feb. 5, 2026 at approximately 1:54 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received by the Winter Haven Police Department regarding what appeared to be a person in the middle of a field next to the Lucerne Lakeside Mobile Home Park on Lucerne Park Rd.
When officers arrived, they could see a body lying in the field with two horses nearby. Officers gained entry into the field by jumping the fence and located an elderly female unresponsive on the ground. The female had visible injuries to her face and torso.
Life saving measures were started and Winter Haven Fire and Polk County EMS personnel took over and transported the female to the hospital. She was later pronounced deceased. An autopsy was conducted and initial findings show that she perished from blunt-force trauma to her body with the injuries consistent to being trampled by a large animal, such as a horse.
Winter Haven investigators spoke to residents in the neighboring mobile home park and learned that one of their residents frequently fed the horses. Ultimately it was determined who the victim was and her next of kin, who lives out of state, was notified. Investigators found no foul play and this has been classified as a terrible tragic incident.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this beloved women who cared so much to interact and feed these horses,” said Police Chief Vance Monroe. “This was a terribly tragic accident and we will pray for those she has left behind.”
Investigators located the owner of the horses who responded to the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
SOURCE: WINTER HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT
