Woman found murdered, wrapped in blanket in Florida hotel room; suspect arrested

An elderly woman has been found murdered and wrapped in a blanket in a Florida hotel room, according to police.

The body of Emma Mullins, 76, was discovered by deputies at the Holiday Inn Express in St. Petersburg late Thursday morning after an employee reported a dead person in one of the rooms, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release Friday.

Mullins’ body was “on the floor of the room wrapped in a blanket with sheets, towels, and clothing on top of her in an attempt to conceal her location,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Paul Stottler, a 38-year-old who allegedly got into a fight with Mullins before she died, was arrested in connection with her murder, according to authorities.

“There were blood stains, overturned furniture, and broken glass throughout the room with obvious signs of trauma to Mullins, according to the sheriff’s office.

Stottler and Mullins were seen on surveillance video entering the room, but only Stottler was filmed leaving hours later, police said.

He was then seen on video carrying several bags when he left the room, according to the sheriff’s office. He then allegedly threw the bags in a dumpster in the hotel parking lot.

Investigators allegedly discovered three documents with Mullins’ name hidden in an ice bucket.

They also discovered blood-stained bedding and a pair of men’s pants during a search of the dumpster, according to the sheriff’s office.

Stottler was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail early Friday morning and remains in custody as of Friday afternoon, according to official records.