A recent incident has escalated from a heinous act of violence to a murder investigation in Jacksonville. Last November, Kimberly Statum, a 60-year-old woman, allegedly committed a grave act against Lee Payne, who was 67 at the time. According to a post by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO), Payne was found with life-threatening burns at a residence on Alexandra Drive in the Biscayne neighborhood.
Rushed to a burn unit in Gainesville, Payne succumbed to his injuries in December, which led the Medical Examiner’s Office to rule his death a homicide. Statum, found and arrested at the scene, was initially charged with attempted murder. Given the tragic development of Payne's passing, the charges have since been elevated. With evidence gathered and facts laid out before the State Attorney’s Office, officers have now charged Statum for both Murder and Arson, arresting her while she was already detained at the Duval County jail.
The JSO pledged to work in concert with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is meted out appropriately for Payne's loved ones. "We will continue to work with the State Attorney’s Office on this case to bring justice to Payne’s loved ones," the Sheriff's Office stated definitively, signaling their commitment to seeing this case through to its end. As for Statum, she remains incarcerated, no longer merely as an accused arsonist but now also a murder suspect. Her arrest marks a chilling reminder of the capacities for violence that can manifest within our communities.
Details surrounding the incident and motivations for the attack remain scant, as the case is being prepared for legal proceedings.
