The daughter of a St. Cloud woman who was found dead in her own backyard has been charged with her murder.

Osceola County deputies charged Amy Day with premeditated murder Friday in the death of 79-year-old Ora Lee Hawkins.

Deputies said evidence and Day's refusal to cooperate, combined with inconsistent statements she's made, led to the charges.

This is a developing story. Check back for the latest.

 

Recently Ora Lee Hawkins daughter, Amy Grace Day, was arrested and charged with filing a false report in her mother's disappearance.

According to the police report, Day had very inconsistent stories for investigators about the time when her mother reportedly disappeared. In the report, she told investigators she saw her mother Saturday afternoon but left for Gainesville to visit her boyfriend/fiance.

When police tried to track down that boyfriend using the phone number Day provided, the man who answered had no idea who Day or Hawkins were.

Investigators then confronted Day about the phone number and Day reportedly said, "It's impossible" and "I'm not lying." 

The inconsistent stories have led investigators to believe Day could face more charges regarding the case in the future, however they couldn't confirm when or what those charges would be.


Neighbors, who didn't want to be identified because they both knew Hawkins and Day, said Hawkins was a sweet, friendly woman, in good health, who cared dearly for her children and grandchild. Now they hope justice is swift.

"I would hate it if something were to come up and no one was made to stand accountable," one neighbor said.