Manatee detectives: We have a suspect in woman's 2011 slaying

MANATEE — A year after Nicole Rose Scott’s body was found in a ditch near University Parkway, family and friends continue to grieve as detectives narrow in on a suspect.

Since the 29-year-old’s body was found Dec. 11, 2011, in southeast Manatee, detectives have been working diligently to establish a timeline of the days leading to Scott’s death, said Manatee County sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Pete Rampone.

Autopsy results showed that she died within two days of when she was found.

“We retraced her steps,” Rampone said.

Detectives are trying to determine where Scott was killed before her body was dumped next to the road.

“We checked dozens of hotels for evidence of her having been there. There is still a two- or three-day gap we can’t account for,” Rampone said. “Every time we get a lead, we chase it to the end.”

Posters seeking information about the slaying were recently torn down in the area where her body was found.

“We put up about 20 posters requesting information, and almost all of them were ripped down,” Rampone said. “It could just be mean-spirited people or business owners afraid it will affect their business. But many businesses accepted them and wanted to put them up.”

Scott, whose history included foster homes, drugs, jail and rehabilitation, was believed to be a prostitute.

Detectives have established a male suspect from the Manatee-Sarasota in the case, but his identity has not been released. The investigation has revealed that the suspect may have been her client.

“But we’re unsure of a motive,” Rampone said. “It could have been random. He could have felt like she ripped him off. It could be someone who thinks people like that are less worthy, which isn’t true.”

For more on the case, check back later on Bradenton.com or pick up a copy of Sunday's Bradenton Herald.

This story was originally published December 22, 2012 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Manatee detectives: We have a suspect in woman's 2011 slaying."