Detectives remain tight-lipped on investigation into Orlando mother's killing

ORLANDO, Fla. — Mystery still surrounds the killing of an Orlando woman whose mutilated body was dumped in a popular lake nearly three weeks ago.

Orlando police have been slow to release any information on Olivia Diggs’ case.

The director at the religious shelter, where Diggs stayed with her children, called the Department of Children and Families when Diggs did not return to pick up her children.

That was on a Friday, and by Monday morning, Diggs' body was discovered in Lake Underhill.

Photos: Body found in Lake Underhill

Friends said Diggs was a friendly, religious mother of three who struggled with addiction and homelessness before turning her life around for her children.

She stayed at the Woman’s Residential and Counseling Center until March, when she moved to a religious women’s shelter.

The director of the shelter didn’t want to be identified, but said Diggs last saw her children days before detectives found her body.

Diggs picked them up from school and brought them to the shelter, telling her oldest she would be back in a few hours.

That was Aug. 19. By Aug. 20, the shelter director called DCF, because Diggs never returned.

DCF picked up the children on Sunday, Aug. 21, and Diggs’ body was found Monday, Aug, 22.

Detectives spent hours at the scene retrieving her body and other evidence.

They’ve released very little information since.

It’s not the only unsolved murder and mutilation case this year in Orange County.

Not far from a bus stop on Old Winter Garden Road, someone found the body of Ethyl McCarson cut up and spread in a wooded area on April 7.

While Orlando police are investigating Diggs’ case, Orange County deputies are working on the McCarson killing.

Detectives said they have not connected the two, but they have discussed similarities in the cases.

Police and deputies have asked for help with tips from the public.

Cox Media Group