WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is now investigating a homicide deputies believe may be related to a carjacking in Winter Springs Thursday evening.

According to Sheriff Dennis Lemma, detectives discovered a deceased body with gunshot wounds inside a burning vehicle in a remote area of Osceola County near Narcoosee Road on Friday.

Lemma said it appears the suspected carjacking was not a random act, but that the alleged suspects knew who they were following. However, he said investigators are still working to determine a motive. 

The Sheriff’s Office had identified the carjacking victim as 31-year-old Katherine Altagracia Guerrero De Aguasvivas from Homestead. Lemma said he believes the scorched vehicle and deceased body belong to Guerrero De Aguasvivas, but investigators have not yet officially confirmed the victim's identity.

According to officials, Guerrero De Aguasvivas is from the Dominican Republic and had lived in the United States with her husband for five years. They own two businesses in South Florida. 

During a news conference Friday afternoon, Lemma detailed a clear timeline from when Guerrero De Aguasvivas left South Florida around noon on Thursday, to when she entered Osceola County. Her husband told investigators she had been traveling to visit family in Seminole County. 

Lemma said a green Acura sedan began following Guerrero De Aguasvivas’ white Dodge Durango prior to reaching the intersection of East Lake Drive and Tuskawilla Road around 6 p.m., when the carjacking occurred. 

According to Lemma, the green Acura had rammed into Guerrero De Aguasvivas' vehicle several times over the course of about half a mile. Lemma said she called her husband who advised her not to stop or get out of the vehicle. However, Lemma said police never received a call prior to the carjacking.

A witness two cars away recorded the incident as it took place, officials said.

“In the video, an armed suspect, believed to be a white or Hispanic male, in a black hoodie, what appears to be a Halloween mask, and dark clothing can be seen pointing a weapon at the driver of a white Dodge Durango, (Florida’s License Plate KVFF22) and then getting in the back driver’s side door,” according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office.

After this point, Lemma said video evidence shows the Durango taking a series of direct turns — which he believes were directed by the alleged carjacker — that led to Osceola County.

Following the carjacking, Guerrero De Aguasvivas' car is believed to have taken State Road 417 south to Narcoossee Road. From there, investigators say the car traveled back roads in Osceola County to the area off Boggy Creek Road where it was found set on fire.

Lemma said he believes the suspected carjackers are familiar with the remote area and knew exactly where to take the victim.

Eye-witness reports of gunshots and smoke from the vehicle fire led Osceola deputies to the discovery, where they also found several shell casings. Lemma said once deputies arrived, the vehicle was so heavily damaged that they could not positively identify it. Investigators are also waiting for an official DNA test to positively identify the victim.

Lemma said Guerrero De Aguasvivas' husband is helping with the investigation, and that at this time he is not aware of any similar cases in Central or South Florida.

Detectives are still searching for the green Acura sedan believed to be involved in the incident, and the alleged suspects. They asked anyone with information to call 911 or the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, at 1-407-665-6650.