Man in custody after body found in St. Pete shed

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - St. Petersburg police are investigating after a woman's body was found inside a shed. The investigation is happening on the property of 542 16th Avenue South.

Police have not yet identified the woman. The man who lives there, 40-year-old Angelo Beckford, has been charged with second-degree murder, but few other details have been released.

This started out as possible kidnapping case Monday afternoon. when multiple people came to the St. Petersburg Police Department with a concerning report.

"We had people who actually come to the police department to report that this man had invited them in, shown them what looked like a woman who could be dead or unconscious in his home," said Yolanda Fernandez, St. Petersburg police spokesperson.

When officers went to the home, they ran into Beckford. They say he tried to run. Officers eventually took him into custody.

"We pulled SWAT in because we were concerned that maybe somebody was being held against their will inside this house because he lived there alone," Fernandez said. "Then, we had rescue standing by, but, when SWAT finally was able to force their way inside, what they confirmed was, there was a body of a dead woman in the shed behind the home."

A few hours later, forensic and homicide investigators got a warrant and went inside, beginning to piece together what happened and how that woman died.

"I'm shocked. I can't believe it," said Jamarius Hubbard.

According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Beckford just got out of prison on April 1 after serving a 10-year sentence for attempted robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon.

"It's crazy," Hubbard said of Beckford. "I don't know. But, the thing about it, when he's out here, mingling with everybody, he has sense. Plenty of it."

Beckford was initially currently charged with possession of cocaine but a charge of second-degree murder has since been added. 

While neighbors waited for the official word on who was found in that shed, they reflected on the crime that happened much to close to home.

"She's got a family just like me. It could've been me," said neighbor Tammy Kadari.

"That's her life," said Tia Long. "She's still somebody's mother. She's still somebody's child and she possibly can be somebody's grandmother. And, that's messed up."

St. Petersburg police expect to give an update on the investigation Tuesday morning.