Murder Close to Home...

Update in comments. Added 06-20-08

Murder Close to Home

Woman discovers daughter, grandkids, family dog dead
Monday, May 12, 2008




HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY -- A woman, two small children, and the family dog were found dead at a mobile home park in Lutz Monday morning.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the bodies of a 26-year-old woman and her two children, a 7-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, were discovered in a mobile home at park on Mobile Villa Drive near Bearss Avenue.
The sheriff's office said the woman's mother discovered the bodies.

A man known to the family was found hiding in a closet in the home, according to officials, who were called to the scene around 10:30 a.m. Officials are not saying if that person is a suspect or a survivor.

The man was taken to University Community Hospital for an evaluation.
Authorities did not identify any of the victims or release how they died.
Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said authorities may know who is responsible, adding that information gathered at the scene points towards someone who knew the family.

May 15, 2008 – Update

The boyfriend of one of the victims in a triple murder in Lutz made his first appearance in court Thursday.

Edward Covington, 35, was denied bond.

He was named a suspect in the murders of a woman and her two kids at a press conference Wednesday evening.

Covington's girlfriend, Lisa Freiberg, 26, and her children, Zachary, 7, and Savannah, 2, were discovered dead inside a mobile home on Monday. The family dog was also killed.

Covington is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of abuse on a dead body, one count of animal cruelty and one count of violation of probation.
The sheriff's office said Covington admitted to the murders.

He "provided extreme details as to the manner, the order and the means by which he committed these crimes," said Chief Jose Docobo, with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Docobo said it appears the murders were spontaneous and were committed early Sunday morning, Mother's Day.

Covington was found hiding in a closet after the bodies were discovered.
He was taken to the hospital after deputies say he ingested crack cocaine.

When asked by a reporter if Covington had been found covered in blood, Docobo responded "the scene was so grisly that it would be impossible to be in that scene without being exposed to blood."

Because of the nature of the crime, it's still unknown how the victims died. The sheriff's office said multiple weapons were used.

Some of the bodies were mutilated, some were dismembered, and at least one was decapitated.

Docobo said the case has been difficult for himself as well as other investigators.
"Without a doubt it's one of the most horrific scenes that I've ever seen," he said. "And the fact that it involved children and the nature of the crime it's been very difficult for the investigators."

A probation officer inspected the home just two days before the bodies were discovered.

According to the probation officer's case notes, Freiberg was making lunch for the kids and the home was described as "messy."
Covington told the officer his girlfriend was a "pack rat and they were working on cleaning the house."

The report ends with this observation: "No problem or concerns noted at present time."

Covington was hospitalized previously under the provisions of the state Baker Act after officers found him in his kitchen with three dead, mutilated cats.

He had worked as a state prison corrections officer for ten years prior to his DUI conviction.

June 4, 2008 – Update

The attorney for Edward Covington, the man suspected of killing his girlfriend and her two children in Lutz, entered a not guilty plea for his client Wednesday.
Covington has also waived his right to an arraignment. He was set to have an arraignment Thursday in Hillsborough County.

Covington was arrested May 14 in the murders of Lisa Freiberg, 26, and her children, Zachary, 7, and Savannah, 2. The family dog was also killed.

He has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of abuse on a dead body, one count of animal cruelty and one count of violation of probation.