SOUTH MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A homicide investigation is underway after, police said, a woman who managed a storage facility in South Miami-Dade was found dead inside the building, Friday morning.
Miami-Dade Police responded to the scene at the Public Storage facility, located at 10505 Marlin Road and discovered her body in the facility’s back office
Investigators said, at around 6:30 a.m., they received a phone call from a concerned friend who said the woman had not been home after closing the facility, Thursday evening, and was not answering her phone. “She called, and she believed her friend was abducted,” said Miami-Dade Police Detective Jennifer Capote.
Homicide detectives believe the woman, later identified as 54-year-old Laura Cuni, was murdered sometime between closing the facility, Thursday, at around 6 p.m., and Friday morning. However, they did not specify how she died. “Foul play is suspected,” said Capote.
7News sources said Cuni was found tied up and it was clear she had been murdered.
According to family members, Cuni managed the facility and lived on the property.
People who knew Cuni were shocked by the news. “I’ve seen her and talked with her, yes,” said Brian Lugo, who works in the area. “Very sweet, sweet lady. Willing to help anybody.”
Investigators remained at the scene all day searching for clues and interviewing owners of neighboring businesses. “These detectives came and questioned me,” said Stephanie McGill, the owner of Make it Special Monograms, located across the street from the storage facility.
McGill said she went home at around 10 p.m., Thursday night, and had no idea she would come back to a crime scene. “[I feel] scared, worried. I have kids that are normally here with me. I have a lot of families that come here to get things embroidered,” she said.
The medical examiner removed Cuni’s body from the facility, just after 6 p.m.
Capote urged anyone with information to come forward, no matter how small those details may be. “If there’s anything you may have seen after 6 o’clock, even if you think it’s minimal, whether it was somebody walking by, whether it’s somebody leaving the facility, any vehicles parked in the area, please call Crime Stoppers,” she said.
If you have any information that could help investigators, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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