Early Tuesday morning, investigators from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, along with vehicles from the FBI Tampa field office and Florida Gulf Coast University, searched for possible additional victims connected to the serial killings of Billy Mansfield, which date back to the 1970s. The search took place along Sunshine Grove Road near the entrance to Dry Creek Ranch.
According to Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, investigators expanded their search after speaking with Billy Mansfield, who indicated there could be additional victims whose remains have not yet been located. Authorities previously searched areas near Fort Dade Avenue and Citrus Way but did not uncover any evidence. After reviewing case files, investigators determined they might have a better chance of finding remains farther north and west of the intersection of Fort Dade Avenue and Citrus Way. During a search of the Dry Creek Ranch Road and Sunshine Grove Road area, cadaver dogs alerted investigators to several locations of interest. Authorities have begun excavating those sites to determine whether human remains are present, and Nienhuis said he hopes to have answers by the end of the day.
In 1981, Hernando County Sheriff’s investigators discovered the remains of four victims while searching the Mansfield family property off U.S. 19 in Spring Hill. Three of the victims have since been identified as Elaine Ziegler, Sandra Jean Graham and Theresa Fillingim. Efforts to identify the fourth victim are ongoing. In 1982, Billy Mansfield pleaded guilty to the murders of the four women, as well as attempted sexual battery of Renee Saling in California.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
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