Today the Lee County Grand Jury, convened by State Attorney Amira Fox, returned indictments against Shad Robert Loveless, 45, and Zachary Dean Williams, 21, for two counts of First – Degree Murder, a capital felony, and one count of Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, for the home invasion robbery and murder of two women in Tice. Williams was also indicted on one count of Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence. The victims were attacked in their home in September 2024. Both defendants are in custody.
“This was an extremely violent home invasion, where the perpetrators showed no regard for human life. As horrendous as this attack was, one of the victims found the strength to call 911 for help for her and the other victim, before they both later died from stab wounds suffered in the attack,” said State Attorney Fox.
The indictments allege in part, for count one, the charge of First Degree Murder, that between September 20, 2024 and September 21, 2024, and count two, the charge of First Degree Murder between September 20, 2024 and October 2, 2024, in Lee County, the defendants did unlawfully, while engaged in the perpetration of, or in the attempt to perpetrate a robbery, purchase of a controlled substance, kill and murder the victims during the commission of the offense did carry, display, use, threaten to use, or attempt to use a deadly weapon, contrary to Florida Statutes 782.04(1);775.087; 777.011
For the charge of Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, the indictment alleges in part, on or about September 20, 2024, in Lee County, the defendants did unlawfully take away from the person or custody of, certain property, to wit: drugs, the property, of the victims, as owner or custodian, with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the owner or custodian of a right to the property, when in the course of the taking there was the use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear, and in the course of committing said robbery, did carry, display, use, threaten to use, or attempt to use a deadly weapon, contrary to Florida Statute 812.13; 775.087; 777.011; 921.0024,
For the charge of Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence against Zachary Williams, the indictment alleges between September 20 and September 21, 2024 in Lee County, did unlawfully and knowingly alter, destroy, conceal, or remove any record, document, or thing with the purpose to impair its verity or availability in a proceeding or investigation knowing that a criminal trial or proceeding or investigation by a duly constituted prosecuting authority, law enforcement agency, grand jury or legislative committee of this state is pending or is about to be instituted contrary to Florida Statute 918.13(1)(a)
“The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has done an excellent investigation on this recent crime that enabled the Lee County Grand Jury to hear the case today. I want to thank the Grand Jury for their patience and focus in reviewing the graphic details of this double homicide. This was a heinous and deplorable act of violence that ended the lives of two women. As their families mourn their loss, these indictments are the first step in seeing justice served,” said State Attorney Fox.
Assistant State Attorney Sara Miller, of the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Unit, and Assistant State Attorney Melanie Sanders are prosecuting the case.
Shad Loveless Zachary Williams