VERO BEACH, FL– The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect after a woman who was reported missing about five years ago was found to have been shot to death.
Assunta “Susy” Tomassi, who was said to have dementia, was reported missing on March 16, 2018.
Her remains were eventually discovered in March of 2023 near the Oslo Road boat ramp by a fisherman.
Authorities were able to identify the skeletal remains using personal items located near them.
Sheriff Eric Flowers reported on Tuesday that Tomassi had been shot and that it contributed to her death.
The department also reported that Tomassi’s body was found near expensive items, including jewelry, so they do not believe it was a robbery attempt.
Investigators reported that the last time Tomassi was seen alive, she was seen getting into a white truck at a Publix located at Oslo Road and U.S. Highway 1.
A witness came forward saying that a man driving a similar-looking truck attempted to get her to go in the truck with him just before Tomassi was reported missing.
The witness told authorities that she could not recall the exact date that the incident occurred, but says it occurred several months before Tomassi was reported missing.
The suspect is described as a man 30 to 40 years old with a medium build with almost shoulder-length brown hair.
The sheriff’s office says they did not hear about this tip until recently.
If you believe you have any information about this incident, you are asked to contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.