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Highlands Today

BREAKING NEWS: Deputies ID Lorida Murder Victim

Tip Leads To Arrest of Husband

Courtesy photo

James Higley Barnes, 64

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By Gary Pinnell | Highlands Today

Published: October 22, 2008

LORIDA - Deputies now know the identity of the murdered woman whose body was dumped in a Lorida orange grove.

On Oct. 13, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office was called to a citrus grove near Buckhorn Road, where a middle-aged female had been found, shot in the head. She has been identified as Virginia Navarro Barnes, 62, of Burbank, Calif.

Detectives asked for the public's help in identifying the victim, publishing a composite photo of what she may have looked like in the Oct. 16 edition of Highlands Today.

"Citizens responded with numerous possible tips and leads," said Lt. Tim Lethbridge on Wednesday afternoon. "Sheriff Benton and the investigative team greatly appreciated the interest and assistance offered by the Highlands County community as the many leads were followed by detectives in the field."

On Tuesday evening, Leftbridge said, "we received another lead on the identity of the victim. With this lead, detectives were able to confirm a fingerprint."

A suspect was developed based on the information, Leftbridge said, and James Higley Barnes, 64, of Burbank, Calif. was arrested. The couple had been staying at 6100 Sherman Terrace in Sebring.

After conversations with family members, Barnes called the sheriff's office and said he wanted to speak about the murder victim found in the grove. After detectives contact Barnes, he was charged with the first degree murder of his wife.

Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863 386-5828

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