Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office cold case unit closes 2001 murder investigation

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit has closed a 2001 murder case after the unexpected death of the suspect in the investigation, according to CCSO.

Victoria Arena, 32, was murdered on or about June 11, 2001. Her body was dumped in a wooded area near an orange grove about 100 yards north of Bermont Road in Punta Gorda.

Her body was discovered by a local worker on June 15, 2001. No physical evidence to identif the victim was found at the time. Victoria’s throat was slashed, and the cause of death was ruled homicide by the Medical Examiner.

Victoria was reported missing from Englewood by her mother on June 13, 2001. Curtis Webb, 34, was quickly identified as a potential suspect, as they were in a previous relationship.

Victoria shared with more than one person her fear of Webb and said if anything happened to her he would be responsible.

death was ruled homicide by the Medical Examiner.

Victoria was reported missing from Englewood by her mother on June 13, 2001. Curtis Webb, 34, was quickly identified as a potential suspect. Webb and Victoria were previously in a relationship. Victoria shared with more than one person her fear of Webb and said if anything happened to her he would be responsible. She also expressed fear that Webb would be getting out of jail. She told people she intended to get a restraining order preventing Webb from bothering her.

Webb was released from the Sarasota County Jail on or about June 5, 2001 and Victoria went missing Monday June 11, 2001.

The investigation showed Webb was with Victoria on June 11, 2001.

Over the years numerous investigators have reviewed this case and many interviews were completed. Although at different times during this investigation probable cause to arrest Webb was established, detectives did not feel confident a conviction could be obtained.

Over the years detectives, including the current Cold Case Team, did obtain several statements from associates of Webb. Many of these statements included information that Webb actually admitted he killed Victoria. One major issue hampering the investigation was the natural deaths of several of these key witnesses.

On January 15, 2018, a few months after being released from prison for home invasion robbery, Curtis Webb died from an illness.

Curtis Webb spent 15 years in a Tennessee prison after being convicted of home invasion robbery in that state in 2002. On January 15, 2018, a few months after being released from prison, Curtis Webb died from an illness.

The Cold Case Team has developed probable cause to charge Curtis Webb with first degree murder.