Body of Abducted Woman Found in Florida, Daughter Safe

The Tampa community is reeling after the tragic discovery of a body believed to be that of Sylvia Pagan, a woman who was reported abducted alongside her daughter earlier this week. The Tampa Police Department issued a Missing & Endangered Alert for Pagan, who was last seen on Sunday morning. The search intensified when an Amber Alert was issued for her 9-year-old daughter, Briana.

Authorities identified Jovanni Caceres Steffani as a person of interest in the case, and the investigation took a grim turn when Steffani was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Suwannee County. Thankfully, Briana was found safe at the scene, but Pagan remained missing.

The search for Pagan came to a heartbreaking conclusion when a body matching her description was found in a roadside ditch, covered by a child’s pool. The medical examiner’s office is working to confirm the identity of the remains and determine the cause of death.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw expressed condolences to Pagan’s loved ones, particularly her daughter Briana, during this unimaginable loss. The community is left in shock and mourning as they await further details in this tragic case.