TAMPA, Fla. – UPDATE
A Wytheville woman was found safe after she and her boyfriend, who was wanted for attempted murder, went missing in Florida.
It was a scary situation for 21-year-old Bella Wheeler’s mom.
Gayle King described it as a nightmare when she saw the text from Bella’s boyfriend’s mom.
It said Bella and her boyfriend, Zachary Heatherley, had gone missing.
“She told me that Zachary and Bella were missing and that they had been missing since about 6:30 on Thursday evening that they went out for a walk and never came back from her condo on Bay Shore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida,” King said.
This raised red flags for King. She was already concerned when she learned Heatherley had allegedly broken her daughter’s phone while she and Bella were on a phone call.
“My daughter talked to me always two times a day voice and then about six or seven text messages a day and all of that stopped on October 31 when her phone was no longer available to her.”
King also learned about Heatherley’s lengthy criminal record.
“I found all of the mugshots and all of the things that he’s been charged with and just bailed out bailed out and bailed out. It’s horrifying,” King said.
Heatherley is facing several charges, including attempted murder in the first degree, which is his most recent offense. King said he was supposed to turn himself in on Friday but never did.
We’re told Bella did leave willingly with Heatherley, but now she is with U.S. Marshals in Dade City, Florida and Heatherley is in custody.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Tampa Police Department is searching for a Wytheville woman who was last seen in Florida with a man wanted in connection with attempted murder, according to the Wytheville Police Department.
Authorities said Bella Hope Wheeler was last seen on Jan. 4 at about 6:30 p.m. with 24-year-old Zachary Cole Heatherley, leaving his mother’s home near Bay Shore Boulevard in Tampa. The nature of Wheeler and Heatherley’s relationship is unclear at this time.
According to reports, the pair claimed they were going on a walk but have had yet to return.
Heatherley has been described as a 6-foot man who weighs about 155 pounds.
Police said Heatherley was supposed to turn himself in for attempted murder and is now being sought by police. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Heatherley is facing the following charges:
- Aggravated battery great bodily harm firearm (great bodily harm/death),
- Attempted murder in the second-degree firearm (great bodily harm),
- Attempted murder in the first-degree premeditated firearm (great bodily harm),
- Shooting at within or into a vehicle,
- Arrest on failure to obey written promise to appear,
- Possession of a controlled substance.
If any of Bella Wheeler’s local ties have any information on her location you can provide information to our Tip Hotline or Tip Email: wpdtips@wytheville.org or leave a voice message at 276-223-3310. Tip lines are not monitored 24 hours a day. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Furthermore, you can also contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-276-3200.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops.