One Answer Leads To Many Questions

BROOKSVILLE - James Wiggins can stop worrying about his missing daughter.

He knows where she is.

Now he has a fresh concern: Why was her body left in the woods of rural Hernando County?

On Tuesday, Wiggins heard on the news that a CSX railroad worker had discovered a body on Brooksville Rock Road. He didn't think much of it.

"I thought 'That's a shame how they do people,' but I didn't pay much attention," he said.

The last anyone had heard from his daughter, 19-year-old Dominique Lewis, was on Nov. 30. But she had disappeared once before and returned safe. Wiggins was uneasy, but he thought his daughter would turn up soon.

Besides, Lewis didn't know anyone or have any connections to Hernando County. She lived in St. Petersburg.

When a description of the body came out - her size and tattoos - it seemed clear that it was his daughter. On Thursday morning, detectives knocked on his door. "We just wanted to hear it from them" to be sure, Wiggins said.

Now it's a waiting game to gain some answers. Why do detectives suspect homicide? Who did this to her? Where did she die?

Wiggins said his daughter was very trusting and friendly. It wouldn't surprise him if someone lured Lewis into a car.

Her braided hair had extensions about 8 1/2 inches long and was dark brown with purple coloring toward the ends. She had four earring holes in her ear, but only three pieces of jewelry were recovered: A square, clear stud; a small yellow gold hoop; and a small silver and copper hoop with dolphins.

On the top left wrist area was the name Jeremy or Jimmy in Old English-lettering and a star on either side of the name. The word Libra, also in Old English, was found on the top of her right foot. Her other foot had unrecognizable tattoos.

Anyone who saw Lewis or knows what happened to her is urged to call the sheriff's office at 352-754-6830 or for anonymous tips worth up to $1,000, call 1-866-990-TIPS (8477).