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Thursday, April 18, 2024

Gainesville man charged with murdering girlfriend with a baseball bat

A Gainesville man was charged with murder after allegedly killing his girlfriend with an aluminum baseball bat early Saturday.

The Gainesville Police Department responded to a 10:30 a.m. call from Travis Mingo, 33, who said he found his girlfriend's body lying on her bed.

When GPD arrived to 436 S.E. 24th Terrace, they found Mondrecia Lillie dead. Her unharmed 6-month-old son was next to her, the report stated.

Lillie had severe blunt head trauma to the back of her head and a bruised upper back, the report stated.

The blood spattered on the walls and ceiling was consistent with a violent strike from a bat, the report stated.

Mingo first told police he didn't know what happened, the report stated.

GPD spokesman Keith Kameg said Mingo initially tried to be a Good Samaritan by calling in a crime.

"After a multi-hour interview with Detective Bennie Smith, Mingo confessed to killing her," Kameg said.

Mingo and Lillie were living together as domestic partners, the report stated.

He told police that after arguing with Lillie, he struck her on the back of the head with the bat. Afterwards, Mingo went to the store, leaving their 6-month-old and Lillie's 9-year-old daughter alone, Kameg said.

Mingo has previously been charged for burglary, weapons and drug violations and has spent time in the state prison, Kameg said.

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