JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Days after a body was found after a fire at an abandoned apartment complex, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released a composite sketch of the victim, hoping someone in the community would be able to help identify her.
A week later, JSO announced that the victim had been identified. An update posted on the JSO homicide database shows she was 17 years old.
Police did not release her name, but friends identified her as Aleksandra Micic.
One friend told News4Jax that she noticed some red flags before Micic was killed.
The friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said she and Micic usually talked multiple times a day, but she was concerned when she didn’t hear from Micic on the day Micic’s body was found.
“I just knew something was wrong because I didn’t get a call at all that day,” the friend said.
The friend said that “You Busy?” was the last message Micic sent her. The friend said Micic sent that message on May 28 -- the day before Micic’s body was found inside an apartment on West 6th Street.
Police suspect foul play in her death and are investigating it as a murder.
“That’s really unnerving. That’s why me and my wife are going to pack up and leave,” said Kamal Muhammad, who was one of several neighbors who told News4Jax that they did not recognize the woman from the sketch. “I feel really scared for my kids and the people that are around here because that’s scary."
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department was in the area of the apartment complex for training on May 29 when crews spotted smoke coming from the multi-unit building and called it in.
The teen’s body was found inside after the fire was put out.
“I’m just mad how she was found. That’s my main concern,” the unnamed friend said. “She had a good spirit. That’s one thing she always had was a good spirit.”
The friend said she believes Micic was with a man in the days before her death, but she has no idea who would hurt her friend.
“I just wish that justice is found, and it’s going to be found,” the friend said.
Anyone with information about the teen’s death is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).