Alana Sims: Tampa Woman Found Dead In Vehicle; Baby In Backseat Unharmed
Alana Sims, 23, was found dead next to her SUV in a residential street in Tampa Bay, Florida, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Her sleeping son was found in the vehicle unharmed.
Alana Sims was a young Tampa Bay, Florida mother trying to get her life together for her 23-month-old son, her parents told local media.
“She no longer clubbed, she no longer went out to bars, she just loved spending time with her son,” her mother Shahlevi Sims told the Tampa Bay Times newspaper.
Just after 10 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2023, officers found Sims’ body lying on a residential street outside her Ford EcoSports SUV. Inside the vehicle asleep was her baby boy, according to the Tampa PD press release.
Law enforcement has said little else about the circumstances surrounding Sims’ death, other than she appears to have suffered an “upper body trauma.”
When family members was called to identify the body, they told authorities that Sims was 5 months pregnant.
As of this writing, Tampa Bay police don’t know who did it or have a motive, but they are investigating Sims’ murder.
“We don’t believe it was random and we’re following up on a lot of leads right now,” interim police Chief Lee Bercaw told the Times. “The offense in itself is gutwrenching and I feel for the family and the community and even the officers who go out and respond to those types of calls.”
The family is devastated that someone would take Sims away from them as well as her baby boy and unborn child.
"Alana was the best person you could be around. She wasn't around drama," Shahlevi Sims told People Magazine.
"She stayed to herself you know just a real down-to-earth person," Shahlevi says. "She loved being around her nieces, she loved her son and her family."
Alana's son, who was in his car seat when authorities found him, was unharmed and in the care of family.
A GoFundMe campaign set up by the victim’s mother says this:
“Alana was a devoted mother who has a son who she loved very much. She was murdered on Monday the 30th . She was 5 months pregnant at the time and leaves behind a 2 year old. Please help us out in the time of need. Anything is appreciated. God bless.”
Authorities continue to investigate Sims’ slaying and is asking anyone who knows anything to call the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or share a tip through TIP411.
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