Courtesy photo / Port Orange police were at the scene of a grisly murder earlier today 3800 block of Sunset Cove Drive.PORT ORANGE -- Police have identified the woman found murdered early this morning in her Sunset Cove Drive home as 53-year-old Laura J. Hill and that the medical examiner's office determined she was killed by "blunt force trauma," meaning she was likely beaten to death.
Her daughter, 25-year-old Angela M. Hill, found serious injured, but conscious, by Port Orange police officers shortly after 2 a.m. underwent surgery at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach and is listed in critical, but stable condition in the intensive care unit.
Port Orange police were alerted by the Sheriff's Office in West Baton Rouge, La., that there had been a high-speed chase on Interstate 10 resulting in a crash and that the two men inside the vehicle were apprehended.
They have been identified as 24-year-old Tyler J. McClain and 25-year-old Bradley A. Suntich, both of Port Orange. They remain incarcerated under a multitude of charges by the Louisiana officials. One of those men apparently lived at the home at one point with the daughter, Port Orange Deputy Police Chief Wayne Miller said.
"It was apparently a boyfriend-girlfriend type of relationship," Miller said, adding he had no other details. "Port Orange detectives will be responding to Baton Rouge, Louisiana later this afternoon to continue the investigation regarding the death of Hill and critical injury to her daughter."
"It was apparently a boyfriend-girlfriend type of relationship," Miller said, adding he had no other details. "Port Orange detectives will be responding to Baton Rouge, Louisiana later this afternoon to continue the investigation regarding the death of Hill and critical injury to her daughter.
Port Orange police broke down the murder victim's door in the 3800 block of Sunset Cove Drive, based on information from the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's officials and after hearing a knocking sound coming from inside.
They found the mother dead in an upstairs bedroom and her daughter, critically injured but conscious. She was rushed to Halifax where she immediately underwent surgery.
Police have not said whether any weapons were used. Additional information concerning this investigation will be updated as it becomes available.
Neighbors in this quiet subdivision off Clyde Morris Boulevard were on edge.
"I'm terrified," said neighbor Christine Strickland, who didn't know the victims nor was she aware of what happened beyond the fact that one woman was dead and another hurt bad.
"I'm terrified," said neighbor Christine Strickland, who didn't know the victims nor was she aware of what happened beyond the fact that one woman was dead and another hurt bad.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Jeff Wenzel at 386-506-5884.