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Body Found In St. Pete Lot Is Teenage Runaway

News Channel 8 photo by PAUL LAMISON

The body of Malayshia Kierra Gamble was found at 8:10 a.m. at 856 Preston Ave. S.

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TBO.com

Published: January 9, 2009

Updated: 01/09/2009 12:41 pm

Malayshia Kierra Gamble

ST. PETERSBURG - A body discovered this morning in a vacant lot is that of a 15-year-old girl reported as a runaway a month ago, St. Petersburg police said. She had been shot.

The body of Malayshia Kierra Gamble was found at 8:10 a.m. at 856 Preston Ave. S., said St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt.

Malayshia, who lived at 4510 20th Ave. S., was reported missing by her mother, Coretta Gilmore, on Dec. 6. Her fully clothed body was found in the vacant lot this morning, about 20 yards from the street.

The girl's grandfather, Luis Scenewson, told News Channel 8 that Malayshia has run away before but her family doesn't understand why anyone would kill a 15-year-old.

He said family members would chastise him for helping out the girl with money now and then, saying she didn't deserve it. He said he saw a good side of her despite her unusual behavior.

"I loved her," he said. "I loved her so much. … I'm just in a state of shock."

On Thursday, neighbors near the lot reported hearing an argument between a man and woman, followed by gunshots, between 10:30 and 11 p.m., but it has not been determined whether that was connected with the girl's death, Proffitt said.

Reporter Peter Bernard contributed to this report.

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