Fernandina Beach, FL: Woman Artist Is Found Murdered In Her Home...
Slimpickins
Fernandina slaying stuns neighborhood
Somewhat reclusive artist found stabbed
By Dana Treen
Times-Union staff writer
FERNANDINA BEACH -- Police said they have no motive in the death of a
Fernandina Beach artist and author found stabbed to death in her home
Sunday.
Antonia Gerald, 64, was stabbed multiple times in the small house just south
of the city's downtown in a neighborhood sprinkled with bed and breakfast
inns, restored homes and trimmed lawns.
Police said her landlord, concerned that he had not heard from Gerald for
days, found her body about 2:30 p.m. Sunday when he peered in a window.
An autopsy yesterday ruled the death a homicide. Police said Gerald was
stabbed several times.
There are no suspects or motive in the slaying, they said.
"She had no enemies that we know of," said police Lt. Jim Coe. "We're still
fishing, still looking."
Coe said Gerald's body had been in the house for a few days. He said her
landlord checked on her after she missed a luncheon. She was living in the
rear unit of a two-apartment house in the 300 block of South Seventh Street.
Coe said Gerald was known to be somewhat reclusive.
"Sometimes, she just doesn't want to be disturbed," he said.
Neighbors across from the small, green house said Gerald kept to herself but
was a good neighbor who loved her cats and would care for neighborhood
strays.
"She didn't have a lot of comings and goings at all," said neighbor Dee Dee
Thornton, who lives with her husband and children across the street in what
was her parents' house.
She said neighbors were shocked in a normally safe neighborhood.
"You just felt like you can walk around here late at night," she said.
"Until they find out what the deal is, you don't want to do that [now]."
Next door to Thornton, Debbi Roland said she had read Gerald's book. In it,
Gerald attributed her breast cancer survival to regimens of diet and
meditation, Roland said.
"She was very interesting to talk to," Roland said. "I can't imagine her
making anyone angry."
Roland said no one in the neighborhood where neighbors visit and stay up in
the evenings heard or saw anything.
"It's real shocking to know this went on in your neighborhood and most
likely you were here," she said.
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