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ODESSA — Investigators have found no signs of forced entry at the home of a lawyer and horseman found slain Friday, and Hillsborough sheriff's officials said Saturday that the killing doesn't appear to be a robbery.
Lawrence Paul Higgins, 61, was found dead at his large home in the upscale Citrus Green neighborhood Friday morning. By Friday night, the medical examiner had ruled Higgins' death a homicide.
Sheriff's officials have only said that Higgins died of trauma to the upper torso.
A business associate who has a key to his house found Higgins. The associate went to the home because he hadn't heard from Higgins in a couple of days, said Debbie Carter, a Hillsborough sheriff's spokeswoman.
Investigators aren't identifying the associate, nor are they saying where in the house the body was found.
Higgins was a lawyer, race horse owner, and executive officer of Icarus Aircraft, which provides blimps and flight crews to corporations such as Liberty Mutual and Outback Steakhouse.
Higgins practiced law in Washington, D.C., before moving to Florida. He raced horses in West Virginia and Tampa, friends said.
"He had nice horses, and he won a lot of races," said Kathy Guciardo, who also raced at Tampa Bay Downs.
Higgins lived in the Odessa home, worth about $740,000, with his wife, Susan Courter, and his son, Wes Higgins.
However, a neighbor said Courter moved out a couple of months ago.
Hillsborough County records show that Higgins filed for divorce May 30, but the outcome is unclear. Courter and other family members could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Times researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report. Jessica Vander Velde can be reached at jvandervelde@sptimes.com or (813) 661-2443.
[Last modified: Oct 13, 2008 06:16 PM]
Comments on this article
by Marita
Oct 13, 2008 6:16 PM
To my friend 1/2 M. Larry is your youngest brother. I have meet him many years ago. No human being should find a death like that. I will pray for Larry, you my friend 1/2 M and all your family. God Bless..your Friend in Ohio Marita..1/2 M
by Evie-dense
Oct 13, 2008 2:06 PM
Dear Dave, save the comedy for your late night show. Were you there? Did you see? If so, go to the cops. If not, keep your woman-hating self out of it. OJ must be your hero.
by mason
Oct 13, 2008 2:05 PM
It is a tragedy. What's more is, there are people out there who find it necessary to speculate when this is obviously going to be a very lengthy investigation. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
by Laroo
Oct 13, 2008 2:00 PM
We will miss our father, brother, uncle, great-uncle and friend. We know he is in heaven, his home, for all the good he did here. Our prayers are for the person(s) responsible. Lord be with the person(s) and allow heart(s) to be soften and healed.
by Betty
Oct 13, 2008 1:56 PM
That's the problem with people these days...they are so quick to judge before hearing all the facts...DAVE. You know nothing about this family.
by jason r
Oct 12, 2008 12:34 PM
Tragic.. so much violence these days. Seems like we're devolving. Snakes treat each other better than people treat one another.
by Dave
Oct 12, 2008 12:19 PM
Divorce proceedings? Wife moved out? Let's see if I can put 2+2 together as to who the prime suspect is.....
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