The victim, identified as De-Gwendlyn Floyd, died after being taken to a hospital, deputies said.
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a late-night stabbing that killed a 45-year-old woman Friday on Rockingham Circle in Pine Hills. Deputies said they arrived around 11 p.m., found the woman wounded and rushed her to a hospital, where she died.
Deputies identified the victim as De-Gwendlyn Floyd. Detectives worked through the weekend collecting evidence and statements but did not announce an arrest or release a suspect description as of Monday. Family members said Floyd rented a room at the house and was attacked as she opened the front door. The case remains in the early stages, with investigators examining surveillance video from inside and outside the property and canvassing the block for additional footage.
Relatives who gathered at the home Saturday described a sudden assault as Floyd returned late Friday. Her sister, Rashonda Floyd, said the attacker met her at the threshold. “She tried to turn back in, but he kept stabbing her,” Rashonda said. A biohazard notice was visible on the door the next day after crime scene technicians chemically treated the entryway. Deputies maintained a presence on the street as evidence teams moved in and out of the residence throughout the morning.
The 2800 block of Rockingham Circle sits in a dense cluster of single-story homes northwest of downtown Orlando. Houses along the street often have doorbell cameras and exterior surveillance equipment. Family members said the landlord keeps cameras throughout the home and that footage shows moments before the attack. Detectives have not publicly said whether a weapon was recovered or how many times Floyd was stabbed. They have also not said if the assailant was known to the victim, leaving motive and relationship status unknown.
The killing occurred Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, when many residents were returning from holiday gatherings. Violent incidents in Pine Hills have periodically prompted increased patrols and neighborhood outreach by county officials. Friday’s attack drew several neighbors out of their homes as lights from patrol cars reflected off wet pavement. One resident said she heard a burst of shouting and then sirens approaching from North Pine Hills Road within minutes, a timeline that may help detectives sync accounts with any video timestamps.
Investigators typically seek autopsy findings from the county medical examiner to establish precise wound patterns and time of death. Those results, along with video analysis and phone record checks, often drive the next steps, including warrants or suspect bulletins if a name surfaces. As of Monday, the sheriff’s office had not scheduled a formal briefing. Detectives indicated they would continue door-to-door interviews and evaluate all digital evidence gathered from the scene.
By Sunday afternoon, small bouquets appeared near the curb as relatives moved between cars and the front porch, speaking quietly with deputies. “She was trying to start fresh,” a family friend said, noting Floyd had only recently moved into the room she was renting. The house remained taped off for hours while technicians documented the scene, photographing the doorway and collecting swabs before sealing evidence bags.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing. The next significant update is expected after evidence reviews and the medical examiner’s report are complete this week.
Author note: Last updated December 1, 2025.