- April 28, 2024
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Daniel and Heather Kelsey were found dead beside their car on Interstate 4. Courtesy photo
Authorities are still searching for answers in the deaths of a married couple found beside their SUV on Interstate 4 near DeLand about 2 a.m. on Dec. 31. An autopsy did not reveal any signs of trauma, and a full toxicology test is planned to determine the cause of death.
A sheriff’s office spokesman said one of the victims tested presumptive positive for drugs, but would not yet say which person, because the investigation is continuing.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper had stopped to check the car beside the interstate and found the couple nearby. The couple’s three children, all age 2 and under, were unharmed in the backseat of the car.
“(The children) are with family and are doing well,” said Candice Lynn, of Soperton, Georgia, a lifelong friend of Heather.
“She was a great, loving, devoted mother to her three beautiful baby boys.”
CANDICE LYNN, childhood friend
Lynn, who met Heather Kelsey when they were children in Springhill, Florida, is also searching for answers.
“It's so hard right now to even accept the fact that she is no longer here with us,” Lynn said. “She is greatly missed. They lived for their boys. We enjoyed talking about all the crazy things our boys did. I miss her terribly. ...I just don't understand, we have so many unanswered questions right now.”
Candice said the couple got the house on Sunny Palm Drive just before Christmas and were excited to get a new start in Ormond Beach.
“She was my best friend, more like a sister,” she said. “No matter the distance we always kept in contact. She was a great, loving, devoted mother to her three beautiful baby boys.”
Lynn said the couple traveled to Georgia a couple of months ago but decided they loved Florida and returned. Heather had lived most of her life in Florida, and Daniel was from Sanford and a graduate of Spruce Creek High School, according to his Facebook page. They were married in May, 2011. Heather’s Facebook page says she was also from Sanford.
“They were a happy family,” Lynn said. “Two days before the incident they made a video showing the youngest learning how to walk and you can hear the joy in her voice as she laughs.”
She described Daniel Kelsey as very caring and said he loved being a father.
“They did everything they could to make sure their boys were OK,” she said. “They were soul mates, always together, taking trips to have picnics on the beach and watch the sun sets. They were truly in love.”
