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http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/6/2/search_continues_for_missing_ocoee_woman.html

Woman Claims Hataway Tried To Kill Her

Wednesday, June 03, 2009 6:58:27 AM

Reported By Kelli Cook and Mark Jenkins

OCOEE -- A woman has come forward saying she was attacked by the same man who police say is a person of interest in the case of missing Tracy Ocasio, 27.

Tracy Ocasio Description
• White female
• Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
• Weight: 124 pounds
• Hair: Brown
• Eyes: Brown

James Hataway was denied bond Tuesday morning on an unrelated drug charge.


Police said he was the last person to see Ocasio when she dropped him off at his home last week.
Now a woman, who does not want to be identified, said a little less than a year ago she was attacked by Hataway.

"I knew him for a while and we ended up going to an after party and some things happened and I ended up taking him home. We got in front of his house, I didn't pull in the driveway, I leaned over to give him a hug and say goodbye because I knew him and he wouldn't let go of me. He tried to start breaking my neck, I slipped out of it and he started strangling me. I got out of my car and I started running down the streets. I ended up slipping and falling -- that's why I have these scars right here (on my arms). I have them on my knees. He came up behind me, he started slamming my head down on the sidewalk, I started screaming and then he took his hand and took both fingers and put them in my mouth and tried to snap my neck again. And I'm screaming, 'Somebody please help me, he's going to kill me.' He ended up picking me up and he had his hands around my throat and two people walked outside, thank God, and saved my life," the woman said.

The woman said she's been searching for Hataway ever since.

Police did a search with a canine team near where Ocasio's car was found on West Franklin Street, but did not find anything.

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Texas EquuSearch To Aid Ocasio Search

Thursday, June 11, 2009 4:29:52 PM

Reported By Emily Lampa

OCOEE -- Texas EquuSearch is coming to Central Florida to search for Tracy Ocasio, 27.

News 13 spoke with Tim Miller, the group's director and founder, who said he plans to be in the area by Friday.

Miller said he spoke with Joe Ocasio, Tracy’s father, who Miller said personally asked him to aid in the search.

Miller is getting clearance from local law enforcement to bring in his teams.
Authorities already searched a wooded area near Ingram and Clarcona Ocoee roads with K-9 teams.

Ocasio’s family and several law enforcement agencies said there would be no searches Thursday.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said they are working on tracking leads.

According to CrimeLine, they’ve received 25 tips since Ocasio first went missing approximately two weeks ago.

Law enforcement is asking anyone with information about Ocasio or James Hataway, the person of interest in the case, to call CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS.

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http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2009/6/12/texas_equusearch_joins_search_for_missing_ocoee_woman.html

Hataway Gives Police DNA Sample

Saturday, June 13, 2009 12:32:40 AM

OCOEE -- The director and founder of Texas EquuSearch, Tim Miller, arrived in Orlando Friday evening to search for Tracy Ocasio.

News 13 has confirmed with the Ocoee Police Department that the DNA sample provided by James Hataway is now in a database to check for matches in other suspected criminal cases in Florida and across the country.

Police said Hataway willingly consented to the swab.
They said requesting a DNA sample is routine in cases such as this. So far, police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have not heard if there are any potential matches.

Hataway remains a person of interest in the case and has not been charged in connection with Ocasio's disappearance.

Meanwhile, the search continues for Ocasio.

Miller arrived just before 5 p.m.
He said Ocasio's father personally called him in to help.

"I think reality probably hit him that he probably realizes that, you know, the end isn't going to be pretty and it isn't going to be an end that he probably wants. I think he's accepted the fact that she's probably not alive, but he wants to bring her home," Miller said.

Miller plans to drive around the Ocoee area Friday evening and map out some of the areas he will be searching this weekend.

Forty-five local EquuSearch members will be helping him.

Miller said they aren't looking for volunteers right now.

EquuSearch will start searching Saturday morning at 8 a.m.
The command center and start of Saturday's search will be on Clarcona Ocoee Road near Drew Road.

Law enforcement is asking anyone with information about Ocasio or Hataway to call CrimeLine at (800) 423-TIPS.

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