“Tragic Loss: Investigation Launched After Eustis Woman’s Death”

In Mount Dora, Florida, this Mother’s Day weekend has been especially tough for the loved ones of a Eustis woman. She was discovered deceased in Mount Dora after her daughter raised the alarm about her disappearance.

Lake County officials are now investigating her death as a homicide.

News 6 spoke with her daughter, who is devastated and requested her name not be used.

“I was trying to call her, but her phone was off. And then I realized maybe something is wrong,” she said.

[Daughter of slain Eustis woman speaks to News 6 in video below]

The daughter reported her mother missing, and what authorities discovered was chilling.

Authorities in Lake County verified that the body of Monica Islam, a 44-year-old woman, was found on May 2 close to Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road in Mount Dora. Monica, who originally hailed from Bangladesh, relocated to Eustis in 2021 with her daughter and was employed as a cashier at a nearby convenience store.

Her daughter is currently working with Lake County Sheriff’s detectives to provide them with any clues that may assist in the investigation.

In response to inquiries about who could have been involved in her mother’s demise, the daughter mentioned, “I have my suspicions, but I prefer not to speculate. I am awaiting official information from the police to provide details.”

When asked if it was someone she knew, she said, “I guess so.”

News 6 also asked, ”Why would somebody do this to your mother?

Islam’s daughter said, “You know, sometimes people do these things for family problems. Maybe my mom was a victim of that.”

According to an email from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound, and the manner of death is classified as homicide.

Detectives believe that this was not a random act and expect to release additional details as they continue to follow up on potential leads. They also stated that there is no danger to the public.

“I lost everything because she was my everything. I want justice for my mom. That’s all I want,” the daughter expressed.

Lake County Sheriff’s officials have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and have not provided further information at this time.

A vigil is planned by co-workers on Friday at 7 p.m.