On August 1, 1978, at around 2:00 a.m., Elizabeth Batchelor's 1976 Ford pick-up truck was found on Cass Road in Lake Alfred. It had apparently crashed into a tree and caught on fire. Elizabeth's badly charred remains were discovered within the vehicle. Based on her autopsy, it is believed that she was most likely dead before the fire began.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at (863) 298-6379, or send an email to coldcase@polksheriff.org.