Lakeland woman arrested, accused of fatally shooting man in the head

| Orlando Sentinel

A 28-year-old woman accused of shooting a man in the head twice and leaving him inside a car parked at an orange grove in Alturas was arrested late Friday, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Heather Tyler, of Lakeland, was taken into custody on a first degree murder charge in connection with the death of 21-year-old Joseph Witherington, who was found early Thursday by orange grove caretakers inside a blue Kia on Mud Lake Road.

Deputies said they identified Tyler through an investigation of the scene and tips. A pair of women's flipflops found near the Kia belonged to her and she said she had driven with Witherington Wednesday night to the groves, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Deputies said Tyler gave multiple stories in explaining events that took place that night, but told officials she and Witherington hung out at her house on Pirates Way before driving in the Kia to a convenience store, then out to the groves near 80 Foot Road and Mud Lake Road, the release states.

The car belonged to a friend of Witherington, who often let him borrow it, according to the Sheriff 's Office.

Deputies said “evidence and witness statements” led them to charge Tyler Tyler with Witherington's murder, alleging she “willfully and intentionally” shot Witherington in the back of the head while he was driving, according to an excerpt of the woman's arrest affidavit included in the release. Tyler is accused of shooting Witherington again execution-style after exiting the car, then fleeing the area with the man's wallet, the Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies said Tyler burned the clothes she was wearing during the shooting, which she told authorities had blood on them, the release states. She did not give authorities a motive for the shooting, according to deputies.

In addition to the murder charge, Tyler was charged with tampering with physical evidence and grand theft of a firearm, the Sheriff 's Office said.

In the release, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called in the shooting a “vicious act.”

“Clearly the evidence, witnesses, and her admissions confirm that [Tyler] committed cold blooded first degree murder,” Judd said in part of a statement Saturday. “Joseph's family and friends are in our prayers.”

Tyler remains held at the Polk County Jail without bond.