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Police Dig Up South Tampa Yard In Search For Missing Woman

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 18, 2007

TAMPA - Two backhoes tore up the yard at a South Tampa home Wednesday as investigators looked for evidence in the disappearance of a Temple Terrace woman nearly two years ago.

The property at 3908 W. Vasconia St. has been under scrutiny by police since the slab was poured in January 2006, according to the attorney for the construction company owner. Neighbors say the property has been searched by evidence-sniffing dogs periodically at least since last October.

Investigators have not recovered any evidence related to the disappearance of Sandra Hamby Prince, Temple Terrace Police spokesman Michael Dunn said.

Investigators will be at the property for several days, Dunn added, and will be looking for 'any shred of evidence and up to and including a body.'

Prince, a drug counselor who had a home in Temple Terrace, was 59 when she was reported missing Jan. 3, 2006.

When Prince disappeared, the Vasconia Street home was under construction, according to the building permit.

The builder, Earl C. Pippin III, had been in a lengthy intimate relationship with Prince, and he is the sole beneficiary of her estate, according to police.

On Wednesday, Pippin's attorney, Paul Sisco, stood in front of the house, where he addressed the media about the search. Sisco said there is no evidence linking Pippin to Prince's disappearance. He said a polygraph test has exonerated Pippin. He did not specify who conducted the test and when.

'They can dig all night,' he said. 'There's nothing whatsoever linking Mr. Pippin to this. He's the person who reported her missing and who wants her found. Pippin built this house because he's a builder.'

Neighbors are familiar with the investigation.

Rita Tarquini said investigators have been on the property for up to a year looking for clues. Tarquini, who has lived next to the property for 25 years, said a detective alerted her Tuesday to the disruption that would take place next door.

'This is so crazy, but they were here all along,' Tarquini said. 'They had dogs on the property and digging around. They said they were looking for the woman.'

The South Tampa home, leased to a couple with children, is owned by Timothy and Maite McLeod and is valued at $488,000, Hillsborough County records show.

Timothy McLeod, 42, owns an auto repair service on South Manhattan Avenue. Reached by phone Wednesday, McLeod said renters live at the address.

The search 'has nothing to do with the people renting the house,' he said. McLeod said he did not know Prince.

Investigators last year released surveillance video from automated bank teller machines in Temple Terrace and North Tampa after learning through Prince's financial records that someone had accessed her accounts through her debit cards. The video produced few leads.

Prince helped found the Agency on Community Treatment Services in Tampa in 1978. Co-workers there remembered last seeing her Dec. 30, 2005, when she told them she was headed to Sumter County, where she has another home.

Investigators also have examined the home at Angler's Haven on Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County.

About a week after a neighbor reported Prince's disappearance Jan. 3, Temple Terrace police and Sumter deputies called in a team of cadaver-sniffing dogs. The handlers scoured the property on County Road 482A for traces of the missing woman.

Investigators did not say whether evidence was found.

Prince had created a secure financial life for herself. Divorced with no children, she amassed more than a dozen rental houses and other properties between Hillsborough and Sumter counties, according to public records.

There is an $80,000 reward for information leading to the location of Prince. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Michael Pridemore at (813) 989-7110.

News Channel 8 reporter Krista Klaus, Tribune reporter Valerie Kalfrin and Tribune researcher Melanie Coon contributed to this report. Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@tampatrib.com.

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