AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Auburndale police have ended their search at the home of Tonya Whipp's boyfriend Russell Carroll — the only suspect in her homicide investigation.
Officers did not reveal what they found in the search but said the investigation is active and ongoing.
Detectives say although Whipp has not been found, they've "reached the conclusion that she is deceased."
The search of Carroll's home began just days after he was arrested on May 14, 2024, for allegedly using Whipp's financial accounts to redirect money to himself. He is being held in jail with a $35,000 bond.
Court documents state that Carroll made cash withdrawals from his girlfriend's account as early as June 29, 2023 — the day she was reported missing.
10 Tampa Bay has been following Tonya Whipp's disappearance since that time. Here's what we know so far.
Timeline: Tonya Whipp's disappearance and presumed death
2003: Russell Carroll is arrested and convicted of first-degree attempted murder of an ex-girlfriend he stabbed.
January 2023: Carroll is released from prison. Carroll later told 10 Tampa Bay that he had already been dating Tonya Whipp for about 10 years by the time he was released.
February 2023: According to Carroll, Whipp begins living with him at 1018 Caroline Avenue in Auburndale.
May 26, 2023: Whipp's family hears from her for the last time.
May 28 - June 1, 2023: Police believe this is when Whipp goes missing.
June 29, 2023: Whipp is officially reported missing after her sister asked police to do a wellness check. Family members, volunteers and law enforcement would go on to spend months searching for Whipp.
Oct. 4, 2023: Police search Russell Carroll's home for the first time, reportedly digging up the backyard and taking electronic devices, including his phone and computers. He tells 10 Tampa Bay he did not hurt Whipp and did not know where she was.
"I just got out of prison and now everyone is looking at me like I did something to you," Carroll said at the time. "I just miss her. I want her home just like everybody else does."
Dec. 30, 2023: Whipp's family holds a candlelight vigil, praying for peace and answers.
"We're trying to put 2023 behind us and trying to give my sister peace one way or another. If she's alive, bring her home. If she's not alive, bring her home," Whipp's sister, Donna Martin, said.
May 14, 2024: Carroll is arrested for allegedly using Whipp's financial accounts to redirect money to himself. He was charged with grand theft and unlawful use of personal identification information.
May 17, 2024: State court documents reveal Whipp is presumed to be dead and that Carroll is the "only suspect" in her homicide investigation. Investigators search his Caroline Avenue home again.