No One Ruled Out as Suspect in Lightsey Death

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL -- A St. Johns County Sheriff's Office spokesman said, "no one is ruled out" as a suspect in the murder investigation of 36-year-old Melissa Lightsey.

Sgt. Chuck Mulligan said, "Obviously there are a lot of folks in St. Johns County that are not suspects. But obviously the individuals surrounding the events, who had contact with her that night -- we're talking with."

Lightsey loved children, and it seems kids loved her.

She worked in the nursery at Alpha Fitness, a gym in St. Augustine.

Lightsey's boss, Philip Cochran, said, "She was always a favorite among the children. She didn't just sit in a chair, she was always involved with them somehow."

36-year-old Lightsey was also going to go back to school to be an elementary school teacher.

Cochran said she worked Saturday, the last day she was alive. She was also scheduled to work Sunday morning, but she never came in.

Lightsey's husband, Ben Lightsey, reported her missing and police say he told investigators he last saw her swimming in chest-deep water near Vilano Beach around 12:30 Sunday morning.

Melissa's mother and step-father told First Coast News they found it odd she was swimming in the ocean, especially on a chilly night. They said she did not like to go into the water.

Sunday afternoon, Lightsey's body was found in the St. Augustine Inlet.

The medical examiner said the cause of death was not drowning, but trauma to the head neck and face.

Cochran of Alpha Fitness said, "Everyone was just sad beyond words because not only her -- but her family, and the children and the hope and everything that was with her. She looked like she was going to have a really good life."

No suspects or persons-of-interest have been named in this case.

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