Investigators say the late Friday attack happened on Rockingham Circle; relatives identified the victim as Degwendlyn Vakaye Floyd.
ORLANDO, Fla. — A 45-year-old woman died after she was stabbed late Friday at a home in the Pine Hills area of Orange County, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said they responded to the 2800 block of Rockingham Circle around 11 p.m., found the woman with stab wounds, and took her to a hospital, where she died.
Authorities identified the victim as Degwendlyn Vakaye Floyd. The case is being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, which has not announced any arrests or released a suspect description. Family members say Floyd rented a room at the home where the attack took place. The killing is drawing new attention to late night violence in the neighborhood while detectives work to confirm what led to the stabbing and who was involved.
Deputies were called to the house shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28. Crime scene tape blocked the street as investigators photographed the doorway and collected evidence from the front entry, relatives said. Rashonda Floyd, the victim’s sister, said she was told her sister opened the front door and was attacked immediately. “As soon as she opened the door, he started stabbing her,” Rashonda said. She said Degwendlyn tried to turn back into the home but was stabbed again before she could get away. Deputies have not confirmed an exact sequence of events beyond the time and location of the call.
Orange County investigators said the woman was in her 40s and was pronounced dead after arriving at an area hospital. Relatives later confirmed her age as 45. The sheriff’s office said it is still determining what led to the confrontation. No information about a weapon beyond a knife used in the attack was released by officials. A biohazard sticker was posted on the front door on Saturday to mark a chemically treated area as evidence processing continued. Family members said the landlord keeps surveillance cameras at the house and that footage captured moments before the stabbing, including Degwendlyn on a phone call, but that they had not viewed the video themselves.
Pine Hills is an unincorporated community northwest of Orlando where sheriff’s deputies provide law enforcement. Rockingham Circle is a residential street with single-family homes. Neighbors said officers and detectives were on scene into the early morning hours as a forensic team documented the entryway and removed items for testing. Public records show deputies have responded to violent incidents in the area in recent years, though it was not immediately clear whether deputies had been called to this particular address before Friday night. Family members described Degwendlyn as warm and quick to compliment others, recalling her habit of telling strangers they looked nice.
Detectives said the investigation is active. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause and manner of death. Officials did not announce any arrests or name a person of interest on Saturday and did not release a motive. Investigators are reviewing potential surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses and residents. The sheriff’s office said additional details would be shared as they are confirmed. No court filings were available as of Saturday afternoon, and a timeline for a formal briefing was not provided.
On Rockingham Circle, the home’s front door remained sealed for evidence processing, and a chemical warning sticker was visible at the entry. Relatives placed flowers near the walkway. “She was giving. She was helpful. She loved people,” Rashonda said, fighting back tears. She said she wishes she could have been there during the final moments and wants the person responsible to be held accountable.
As of Saturday evening, the sheriff’s office said the investigation continues with no arrests announced. Detectives plan to release updates as they confirm new information in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated November 29, 2025.