MANATEE — It’s been exactly one month since a 48-year-old woman was found bound and brutally beaten to death in her home.
With no suspects identified and DNA evidence still at the lab, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigators continue to search for her killer.
Kathleen Briles was found by her husband, Dr. James Briles in their Terra Ceia home on the evening of Aug. 3.
Briles was killed between 2 p.m. and sometime just before 8 p.m., according to authorities. Items were found missing from the couple’s residence located on Bayshore Drive onlooking the Terra Ceia Bay.
“We’ve got nothing at this point. We’re still waiting on evidence to come back from the lab,” said Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube.
Authorities have not been able to identify any motives as to why Briles was killed.
There are 21 pieces of evidence that were sent to a private lab in which results will most likely come back next week, he said.
“There’s not a rush on it because we don’t have any suspects. If we did, then you would get it back a little bit sooner,” Steube explained.
Fingerprints were also found at the scene with no match.
“We don’t know who they belong to,” Steube said. “I hope the evidence we have at the lab produces what we need to make an arrest.”
Through their investigation, authorities have eliminated Briles’ family members as being suspects in her death, he said.
Steube, who met with Briles’ sons and husband Tuesday, said her family is still grieving.
Youngest son Curtis Briles, who is enlisted in the U.S. Army, headed back to Iraq Wednesday, Steube said.
He was diverted home after his mother’s death. Congressman Vern Buchanan’s office was able to contact the Pentagon on Curtis Briles’ behalf and allow him to stay home a little bit longer before returning to duty, Steube said.
Kathleen Briles, who was a member of Bradenton Toastmasters, is still missed by members. The club had its weekly meeting Wednesday evening.
“It’s strange. It’s still weird not having her her,” said Bradenton Toastmasters President Bart Huitema. “We miss her. ... I think they’ll find who killed her.”
Briles joined the club with her best friend several months ago to improve her public speaking skills. She was described as easygoing, fun and outspoken.
“She was always ready to take on responsibility and try new things,” he said. “You could tell she was nervous, but she would dive in and do it.”
In the meantime, investigators continue to re-interview people including transient people who lived near Briles’ residence in which she sometimes spoke to.
DNA evidence from the crime scene will be run through state and federal databases to check to see if there is a match with any convicted felons.
Evidence will also be crosschecked with DNA recovered from two home invasion attacks that took place in Sarasota earlier this year. As many as 11 home invasion attacks were linked between Sarasota and Manatee counties. Steube said it appears Briles’ death is most likely not linked with those cases.
In the Manatee attacks, no physical evidence was left behind at the scene by a suspect wearing gloves and a dark mask.
Anyone with any information about Briles’ death can contact sheriff’s office Detective Stephen Ives at 747-3011, ext. 2493, or remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for cash reward by calling Crimestoppers at (866) 634-TIPS (8477).
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