A Monroe County jury has convicted Dylan Cody Lamb, 35, of Key Largo, on charges including second-degree murder, false imprisonment, and tampering with evidence. The verdict followed a trial presided over by Circuit Judge James Morgan, concerning the April 2025 killing of a woman at a Key Largo resort.

Jury Deliberations and Verdict

The jury returned its guilty verdict after deliberating for less than two hours. Lamb is scheduled for sentencing by Circuit Judge James Morgan on October 9 at 10 a.m., where he faces a potential sentence of life in state prison.

Investigation Details

The case originated with a missing-person report filed by the victim's family with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on April 7, 2025, after they lost contact with her. Her vehicle was found at a Key Largo resort, prompting an investigation.

During the investigation into her disappearance, evidence at the resort led crime-scene detectives to process a room where Lamb had been staying. Inside a closet, beneath the air conditioning handler, detectives discovered the victim's body. Investigators noted significant injuries and evidence indicating a violent encounter.

Defendant's Confession and Actions

Lamb was apprehended the day after the body was discovered. Investigators found the victim's credit card in his wallet at the time of his arrest. After being informed of his Miranda rights and waiving them, Lamb initially provided conflicting accounts of the events before admitting his role in the victim's death and his subsequent attempts to clean the scene and hide her body. He also provided a sworn, handwritten statement to detectives detailing his involvement.

According to investigators, Lamb had arranged to meet the victim after contacting her through an escort website, agreeing to pay $200 for sexual services. Lamb admitted that he prevented the victim from leaving by blocking the doorway with his body. He stated that he struck her during the confrontation and later found she was not breathing. He then placed her body in a closet containing an air conditioner unit.

Cause of Death and Concealment Efforts

The medical examiner determined the victim died from blunt-force trauma to her head and neck, including fractures to her cervical vertebrae. Instead of contacting emergency services, Lamb admitted to cleaning blood and other bodily fluids from the room using towels and linens. He moved the victim's body from its original location and concealed it under the water heater in a closet. He then packed soiled linens, towels, the victim's cellphone, and other belongings into three trash bags.

The following morning, Lamb moved to a different room at the same resort, leaving the victim's body concealed in his previous room. Resort staff later found the three large trash bags containing heavily soiled items and discarded them before recognizing their potential significance. By the time investigators were aware of the bags, the resort's dumpster had already been emptied, and the contents could not be recovered.

Prosecution and Justice for the Victim

Major Crimes Prosecutor Colleen Dunne, who prosecuted the case alongside Assistant State Attorney Trey Evans, emphasized that the verdict was about accountability for the victim and her family. She stated, “This was a tragic and senseless loss of life, and our responsibility was to present the evidence and give the jury the complete picture of what happened.” She expressed gratitude to the investigators and all involved in seeking justice. The Keys Weekly reported on the proceedings.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield echoed these sentiments, highlighting the accountability achieved in a brutal case. He commended the diligent work of ASAs Dunne and Evans, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and law enforcement partners. Mansfield acknowledged the profound grief of the victim's family, stating that while a guilty verdict cannot undo the tragedy, it is hoped it provides some measure of justice, accountability, and peace. He also extended sincere thanks to the jury members for their difficult service, noting their careful consideration of gruesome evidence to reach their verdict.

The Florida real estate market, while not directly related to this case, continues to see activity, with sales and prices rising in April, according to Florida Realtors.