Lightsey's Death Ruled Suspicious

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL -- As the investigation into the death of Melissa Lee Lightsey continues, authorities say they have found enough information to rule the death "suspicious."

Deputies say Lightsey's husband, Ben, reported her missing early Sunday morning. Deputies say he told them he last saw her swimming in chest-deep water near Surfside Park around Vilano Beach.

Earlier in the evening, Melissa and Ben Lightsey attended a close friend's wedding reception at A1A Ale Works in downtown St. Augustine.

People at the reception say Lightsey and her husband were seen having a fight.

Sgt. Chuck Mulligan of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office told First Coast News, "We have interviewed numerous individuals from the reception that night and we have received information to our detectives about various events that may have occurred. We're looking into all of those different issues."

First Coast News has left messages for Ben Lightsey, but he has not returned our calls.

Lightsey's body was found Sunday afternoon in the St. Augustine Inlet with trauma to her body.

Mulligan said, "There's not yet a determination to what caused the trauma to Melissa's body."

The medical examiner has performed an autopsy but has not determined how Lightsey died.

"The medical examiner says he believes the death is suspicious in nature," Mulligan said. "The exact reasoning behind that -- we're not releasing at this point in time."

Mulligan said there is no person of interest and no suspect in the case.

If you know anything that could help with the investigation, call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477). You will remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward.

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