Family of missing Belle Isle woman thanks searchers while waiting for ID of body found in pond
The family of Stephanie Hollingsworth, who went missing three weeks ago, thanked searchers this weekend as they wait for confirmation that a body found inside a submerged SUV Saturday is the 50-year-old Belle Isle woman.
The Orlando Police Department said in a statement Sunday that “identifying any deceased individual is a meticulous process that can take some time.”
Meanwhile, a public Facebook group, “Searching for Stephanie Hollingsworth Official” that has been active during the search, posted a note from her husband, Scott Hollingsworth, thanking volunteers after police announced Saturday that a SUV was found underwater in the city’s southeast side.
The license plate on the champagne-colored Chevy Tahoe matches Hollingsworth’s vehicle, which was discovered in a retention pond during a drone search conducted by searchers working with the family.
“I want to thank everyone for your loving efforts in our search to find Stephanie,” the statement said. “Right now we are processing and absorbing the latest developments.”
Hollingsworth, a mother of three boys, went missing on Sept. 25 and was last seen on surveillance footage at a Walmart Supercenter on South Goldenrod Road.
Daily search parties with police and volunteers were conducted starting at the Walmart, where she left in her SUV without a cell phone or personal belongings.
Belle Isle Police Department Chief Laura Houston last week officially ruled out Hollingsworth’s husband and other relatives as being persons of interest in the investigation.
Scott has previously said he thought his wife was running errands the day she went missing but he got worried when she didn’t come home that night.
Hollingsworth’s disappearance attracted national attention, prompting more than 5,000 members to join the Facebook group for her search efforts.
Although authorities have not confirmed as of Sunday night that the body found inside the SUV is hers, nearly 500 people posted messages of support for her loved ones.
“This community is grieving for your family,” a Winter Springs woman wrote. “Stephanie left a legacy of so much love.”
lgarza@orlandosentinel.com
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