01/06/07
Coralrose murder involved sexual assault
DNA profiles a white male who is not a family member
NORTH PORT -- Physical evidence shows that more than one person was involved in the sexual assault of 6-year-old Coralrose Fullwood. However, North Port Police Chief Terry Lewis stopped short of saying they might be responsible for her death.
At a press conference Friday, Lewis broke a four-month silence on the case, saying police know that more than one person was present during a sexual assault of the little girl. In the past, he said there were no "obvious signs" of a sexual assault.
Coralrose's mother, Ellen-Beth, who now rents in Lee County, was at the press conference. Coralrose's father, Dale, who rents a place in Cape Coral, was not there.
Coralrose was found dead on Sept. 17 in the woods nearby her Calabash Avenue home in North Port. Dale said he saw her in her bed at 2 a.m. when he returned from work. However, at 7 a.m., she was gone.
Dale was arrested on Oct. 12 in what police said was a separate investigation on child











charges. He was freed on bond and his trial has been set for July 16.
Lewis said DNA evidence showed Coralrose was sexually assaulted, and that investigators believe more than one person was involved.
Lewis explained that by saying more than one person was involved, adding one either had direct knowledge or participated in the assault.
"We have a DNA profile of a non-family member," Lewis said. However, Lewis said that the family has not been ruled out.
Lewis said they could not match the DNA to a specific suspect in the case. He said they constructed a criminal profile based on the DNA and physical evidence found.
Lewis added that criminal profiling is not an exact science, but is a valuable tool which helps generate more leads.
Lewis said the profile shows the offender is a white male and someone familiar with the area.
"The offender is someone the family either knows or is an acquaintance of," Lewis said, emphasizing that he is using the word "acquaintance" loosely. Lewis said the offender likely has a girlfriend or is married, and is someone who has "crossed paths" with Coralrose before. He also said the profile indicated the person is of "low social order."
Lewis added Coralrose, a first-grader, did not participate in any high-risk activities, and her routine consisted of going to school and staying at home.
Lewis said the offender probably saw Coralrose at home, saying he was "not a stranger to her." He said the offender probably had a reason to be at Coralrose's house.
Lewis said statistically in 80 percent of child murder cases, the perpetrator is someone who lives within a quarter-mile of the victim's home. He added, however, he doesn't know that to be the case here.
Lewis said arrests will be coming in the case, but he would not put a time frame on it. He added no one has been ruled out as a suspect and still may include family members.
He said the case is a multi-agency investigation involving federal, state and county agencies including Sarasota, Charlotte and Manatee counties. He said Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties are still investigating leads and making progress.
"We cannot do it alone," Lewis said, adding if residents have any information to contact the department through a specific number for the Coralrose Fullwood case. That number is 941-429-7336.
He urged parents not to let their guard down on protecting their children including after an arrest is made.
Police want neighbors to review questions and call
The North Port Police Department would like the community to consider the following questions and if they have pertinent information they should call 941-429-7336.
1. Are you aware of anyone who has stopped coming into the neighborhood/area since the time Coralrose Fullwood's body was found?
2. Is there anyone there that you have suspicions about who lived, worked or visited in the neighborhood?
3. Are you aware of anyone who has moved or left the area suddenly since Coralrose Fullwood's body was found?
4. Are you aware of anyone whose behavior seems to have changed since Coralrose Fullwood's body was found? For example:
A. Increased consumption of alcohol or drugs.
B. Intense interest and curiosity in the investigation.
C. Become more withdrawn, paranoid or guarded.
D. Missed work.
E. Irritable or aggressive.
5. Do you know of anyone who has indicated any type of interest in the investigation?
6. Are you aware of anyone who has changed his appearance since the discovery of Coralrose Fullwood's body.