EUSTIS, Fla. — The death of a local woman, Monica Islam, found after she was reported missing, has drawn the grief and outrage of her family and friends. After authorities classified her death as a homicide, her daughter spoke out, expressing the deep love she held for her mother and the fear that now grips her life.
Since the tragic events unfolded last Friday, the daughter, whose identity is being protected for safety reasons, has lived in constant fear that the person responsible for her mother’s death might target her next. “I knew something was wrong when I called her and got no answer,” she recalled, noting that her mother’s phone was turned off after leaving a convenience store. “That’s when I realized something was really wrong.”
The Eustis Police department responded swiftly, and a short time later, investigators discovered a woman’s body in Mount Dora, which turned out to be Islam’s. “When they confirmed it was my mom, it shattered my world,” her daughter said, reflecting the profound loss felt by her family.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation, which is now focused on understanding the circumstances surrounding the homicide. Authorities have received assistance from a local funeral home, which provided surveillance footage of a nearby side street, suspected to be a location where the crime occurred.
Monica was remembered by her daughter as a kind-hearted person who devoted her time to helping others. “She was a good woman who got along with everyone,” the daughter shared. “She meant everything to me.”
In response to the tragedy, friends and neighbors have organized a candlelight vigil to honor Monica Islam. The gathering is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Shell convenience store from which she was last seen. This event offers a space for the community to come together in mourning and support for her family during this tremendously difficult time.
As the investigation unfolds, the family is calling for justice and urging anyone with information to come forward. The outpouring of love and remembrance for Monica underscores the impact she had in her community and how deeply she will be missed.