HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A Lutz woman is behind bars today after a lengthy investigation into human remains discovered last summer. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 64-year-old Rebecca Vaughn, identifying her as a family member who was responsible for the victim’s care.
The case began on August 8, 2025, when unidentified remains were found in a wooded area in Lutz. For months, the identity of the deceased remained a mystery.
To break the deadlock, local detectives teamed up with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Biology Special Projects Unit and Othram Inc. The collaboration was made possible through federal grant money from the Bureau of Justice Administration’s Missing and Unidentified Human Remains Program.
The specialized DNA testing successfully identified the victim as 78-year-old Jacquelyn Cirone. Following the identification, investigators shifted their focus to Cirone’s living situation. They eventually determined that Vaughn, who was acting as Cirone’s caregiver, did not report the woman’s death. Instead, authorities say she disposed of the body in the woods.
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Vaughn now faces several criminal charges, including tampering with physical evidence, failure to report a death to the Medical Examiner or law enforcement, and the unlawful moving of a dead body in unapproved conditions.
“This case is the result of relentless investigative work and a critical partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “The actions taken in this case show a complete disregard for human dignity, and we will ensure those responsible face the full consequences.”
While an arrest has been made, the Sheriff’s Office noted that the investigation remains active as they finalize the details of the timeline leading up to the discovery.
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