Suspect dies in jail after 2 women found strangled near Sarasota boat ramp, bridge
The man suspected of having killed two women along Tamiami Trial in Sarasota died at the Sarasota County jail over the weekend.
William Devonshire, 52, had been in custody since his March 25 arrest on murder charges in the death of Kellianne Ripley, whose body was discovered on February 25 in a wooded area just north of the 10th Street boat ramp in Centennial Park off of North Tamiami Trail.
Devonshire was also a suspect in the death Vickie Levitch, whose body was found on March 10 under Whitaker Bayou Bridge along North Tamiami Trail.
Both women were strangled to death, according to autopsies.
“We have indisputable evidence that links Devonshire to both of the homicides that occurred in February and March of this year,” Sarasota Police Captain Johnathan Todd said in an issued statement.
“After analyzing the evidence in both homicides, we have determined that William Devonshire committed both crimes. Our detectives were in the process of writing a probable cause affidavit charging Devonshire with the murder of the second female victim in March of this year when we learned of his death.”
Devonshire was taken Sarasota Memorial Hospital on May 17 after suffering an undisclosed medical event, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Sarasota Police Department each announced on Monday morning. Ten days later, Devonshire returned to the jail and was under hospice care with a do not resuscitate order.
Sheriff’s office detectives believe Devonshire died from his medical issues, but an official cause of death will be determined by the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office.
Devonshire was facing up to life in prison had he been tried and convicted as charged.
State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office also confirmed Monday they were closing the case against Devonshire as a result of his death.
“The evidence against William Devonshire was overwhelming and included DNA evidence and video surveillance footage that put Devonshire at the scene of both homicides,” the office said in a statement. “The Sarasota Police Department did an outstanding and tireless investigation.
This story was originally published June 6, 2022 at 12:26 PM.
