Homicide on Cowry Road in Venice under investigation by Sheriff’s Office

Victim identified as Leanna M. Leach

The red balloon on this aerial map marks the 300 block of Cowry Road in Venice. Image from Google Maps

Shortly after midday on May 1, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced that it is investigating a homicide that occurred in the 300 block of Cowry Road in Venice.

At approximately 11:36 p.m. on April 30, a news release says, deputies responded to a Cowry Road residence after the agency was alerted about a shooting. Upon arrival, the release adds, the deputies found that a female victim, Leanna M. Leach, was deceased.

A Sarasota News Leader search of the records maintained by Sarasota County Property Appraiser Bill Furst and his staff found no homeowner by that name in Venice.

“This is an ongoing investigation,” the release points out.

It is the second death investigation that the Sheriff’s Office has announced over the past week. Agency personnel also are engaged in an effort to determine the responsible party or parties in a shooting that occurred on April 26 on Hammock Place in Sarasota that resulted in one death and one injury. (See the related article in this issue.)

Cowry Road is an east-west street that is perpendicular to Bonita Road to the east, and Pompano Road to the west, a map shows.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to call the Criminal Investigation Section at 941-861-4900 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477) or going online at www.crimestoppers.com.

No further information was available prior to the deadline for publication of this issue of the News Leader.