TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Winter Haven Man Arrested In Girlfriend's Death

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: August 25, 2008

Eddie McIntosh

A Winter Haven man was arrested today in connection with the death of his girlfriend Saturday, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Eddie Lee McIntosh III, 26, of 704 26th St. N.W., Winter Haven, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter, according to a criminal arrest affidavit.

According to the sheriff's office, McIntosh called three people over the weekend — his girlfriend's mother and two of her cousins — and gave them this account:

McIntosh and his girlfriend, Wanda Francois, were arguing Saturday in their home. McIntosh tried to leave, but Francois stood in front of the door to stop him. McIntosh moved her out of the way and got in his car.

Francois climbed on the hood of his car and remained on the hood as McIntosh drove through several streets in Winter Haven, at times approaching speeds of 50 to 60 mph, and swerving to try to get her off the hood.

McIntosh told deputies Francois eventually fell but that he saw her get up and use her cell phone, so he drove away.

Deputies found Francois lying in the front yard of a home at 716 25th St. N.W. in Winter Haven about 6 a.m. Saturday. Blood was coming from her nose, the arrest affidavit states. She was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical where she later died.

Vera Volnikh of the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy Sunday and found that Francois died as a result of a blunt impact to the head, according to the arrest affidavit. Francois' death was ruled a homicide.

Even if the fall did not render Francois unconscious, she would not have been able to stand and walk, Volnikh said.

McIntosh was arrested 11:30 a.m. at his attorney's office, deputies said. He is being held today without bail at Polk County Jail.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT