ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 64-year-old man killed Friday afternoon at his home near Mount Dora was publicly identified Saturday as Louis Massa, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
A friend of Massa found his body lying in the driveway of the home on Terrell Road near Orange Blossom Trail shortly before 1:15 p.m. while conducting a well-being check, Orange County Deputy Rose Silva said.
"This is a death investigation that appears to be suspicious," she said. "The scene suggests a confrontation and what appears to be trauma to the victim."
Silva said Massa was pronounced dead at the scene. The nature of his injuries won't be revealed until an autopsy is completed, she said.
Rosia Doston, who has lived next-door to Massa for 13 years, said she considered her neighbor a friend.
“He was friendly,” she said. “He was real friendly. And he and my son, they would carry on -- just had fun talking and going on.”
Doston said news of Massa’s murder was so upsetting that she couldn't stay at her home Friday night.
She said they would often allow their dogs to play together. Orange County Animal Services is now taking care of Massa’s two dogs.
“I talk about it now and I still can't get over it,” Doston said. “I really pray to God that they would find who treated him like that.”
The homicide continues to be investigated. %
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No other details were given.
Anyone with information about the death is asked to call the Sheriff's Office or Crimeline at 407-423-8477. Tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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