Woman found dead in central Toledo park was raped, murdered

According to court documents, Trace Lindell Williams confessed to crimes

11/19/2016

THE BLADE
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A woman found dead Friday in Inez Nash Park was raped and strangled, police said.

Sonja Long, 40, was found at about 10:30 a.m. Friday in the park at 206 E. Bancroft Street. Trace Lindell Williams, 37, of the 2800 Block of Warsaw Street, confessed to raping and killing her, according to court documents.

Lucas County Deputy Coroner Dr. Cynthia Beisser said Ms. Long died of manual strangulation. An official ruling in her death is pending toxicology reports.

Williams was also charged Friday based on a rape accusation from July. According to court documents, a woman wanted to sleep in a vacant house on South Avenue on July 20, when Williams told her she had to pay to stay there.

When she refused, he beat her, choked her, and raped her, the woman told police. Court records indicate a DNA test matched Williams to the case. 

Williams is in the Lucas County Jail and charged with aggravated murder, rape, and threat of rape. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday in Toledo Municipal Court.