A 96 year old Newberry woman who was savagely beaten in her home in July, passed away after being removed from life support.
The family is looking for closure and asking the community to help them find the person responsible.
Family and friends remember Lila Leach as a vibrant woman who loved life. They say that Leach was in good health before an intruder entered her home July 16th, beating her almost beyond recognition and leaving her for dead. They say in order to heal, they must find the person who robbed her of of not just belongings, but also her life.
Leach's daughters, Elaine May and Marilyn Black and her granddaughter, Karen Black, remember Leach as full of energy and kindness.
May said, "She loved life! She was interested in so many different things."
But, Marilyn Black said she wishes she could remember her mother without thinking about the terrible state she was in after the attack. Justice is what they need to heal and so they're pleading with the community to help find the person responsible.
May said, "Most crimes of this type are senseless to begin with, but this was absolutely ridiculous...No one had to harm her, they did not have to harm her...Somebody knows something."
Lieutenant Steve Maynard of the Alachua County Sheriff's Office said that such a heinous crime should alarm everyone. He said, "As members of the community, we're equally as concerned that we have an individual out there that is both capable and responsible for doing this to a defenseless 96 year old woman."
Karen Black said she made a promise to her grandmother as she breathed her last breath that they would get justice and Lieutenant Maynard sent this message, "This person whose out there should know that we, we're coming for them and there will be a day when they will be held accountable for what they've done."
If you have any information on who attacked Lila Leach, please contact the Alachua County Sheriff's Office at 352-955-1818 or make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 352-372-7867.