Codie Elizabeth Novack

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Marion County Sheriffs Office (FL)

Death Location:

Silver Springs/Ocala Florida

Summary:

Last seen on January 3, 2023, by family and CCTV at approximately 5:30 pm, leaving her family residence in the SE Fort-King District of Marion County Ocala Florida with the on-and-off-again boyfriend, in the direction of a residence SE 179th AVE Silver Springs, Marion County Florida. (A rental room retained through Marketplace just three weeks prior for the boyfriend). She planned to return in the morning, after two planned appointments: The eye doctor and the Tax Office.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Death:

Codie, completely new to the state, with uncharacteristic behaviors and not having contact prompted the family to initiate a missing or endangered report with the Florida Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). There were concerns of a possible Domestic Violence incident; Without any notification(s) within their system or from any official authorities the family continued to search for Codie. On the afternoon of January 5, 2023; through locating the boyfriend (Louis Latorre) by phone, without further details; Louis stated Codie was at the Medical Examiner's Office. (District 5 & 24) The family originally thought he meant Codie was sick when he stated "she was on an autopsy table" and dead. A call to the M.E. Office in Leesburg Florida, confirmed without any notification or signed documents, an autopsy had already been performed on January 5, 2023, at 10:30 am, waiting for the toxicology result, (approx. six to eight weeks). Also confirmed by the Medical pathologist Dr Tracey S. Corey that Medical investigator, Wendy Morales, Codie was recovered from a bedroom at the stated residence, and found deceased on January 5, 2023, EMS called a time of death at 00:17, after the boyfriend utilized 911 services. The family discussed any used life-saving measures if any, and then learned there would not be any organ harvesting or donation, due to the time-lapse of discovery. We further discussed the possible history of domestic violence and the boyfriend's known daily drinking and drug use. The family denied known drug use with Codies' history of clean drug tests, including the weeks prior for employment, and thought she could have consumed alcohol, as she is age-appropriate, but not to the amount indicated or described as later described; due to medical reasons. Discussed minimal Medical information other than back injury and gastric bypass approx 3 years prior, expecting M.E to order or contact Codie's doctors. We were then referred to Detective D. Pinder with Major Crimes within the MCSO. From initial contact with officials, the detective refused to meet with the family, was dismissive, had a biased narrative, and considered Codie an overdose or suicide. Neither agency ever discussed the condition or described the marks, bruises, or abrasions over the entire body, and face; that the family would learn while viewing Codies Body at the funeral home!! After collecting records; 911 audio and transcript call; during the 911 call and among some of the background noises, individual(s) are heard knocking, what sounds like dishes or items being moved, as Louis also claimed Codie might have hit her head and neck and was cold to touch. You can hear instructions given to do CPR, while he multi-tasks (not keeping any kind of count with the dispatcher) for the approx two minutes, taking a break in between to answer someone in the bedroom doorway. The transcript shows among other things, running Codie's background, our vehicle, and a warrant check for an individual not listed in the incident report. (Still no notification to her family at any time) Officials refused to gather any further video surveillance, phone or banking records, GPS, a timeline, or contact additional witnesses. The complex series of tragic events does not reflect Codies' known characteristic traits, there are known extenuating and unaccounted circumstances, factual recovered timeline, data, and GPS events. The family at the time, was concurrently unaware of the full scope of the individuals, the residence history, the enduring altercation with Louis, if any others were involved, or the condition of her body until the funeral home seven days later and at that point demanded an appointment with the detective. The family earlier believed there was an ongoing investigation, however, through reports learned, Marion County Florida Sheriff's Office detective requested Codies, close the case without an investigation (while using victimizing statements’, without factual evidence, contradicting witnesses statements, adding due to the medical examiner's opinion ruling of an accident and postmortem toxicology. (certified letter to the family). While viewing, requested records, of phone data, incident reports, criminal history(s), images, and body-worn cameras; the family discovered additional, discrepancies, contradicting, inconsistent statements; uncharacteristic phone and account usage, and the discovery of missing and damaged personal items. The family realized with the initial verbal conversations, then in the written incident report(s), and while viewing body-worn cameras, the shared incentives of presumed overdose or suicide theory, by the detective and Medical investigator on the scene, was shared by phone conversations to additional authorities, and to the Medical Examiner’s office. Also noted is inconsistencies between statements and report(s) with different locations and positions of Codie's body within the room. Among other information discovered was the edited incident report that removed information deputies entered describing the scenes questionable, locations, behaviors, and activities, of the individual(s) also noted additional information entered that stated the first four deputies along with EMS at the scene were only mistaken when they acknowledged there to be signs of trauma and a crime scene. The body cameras showed the authorities were also reasonably aware and had additional resources of the criminal backgrounds of the individuals and the residence along with additional evidence in Codie's phone which held images, and text messages, stating ongoing confrontation, including destroyed, missing items. Text messages in Codie's phone stated Louis wanted more alcohol with her lack thereof to give him any, however also that the door was being locked, another text with Louis apologizing for the altercation, destroying her belongs, furthermore believed to be her final text message around 2:50 pm, January 4, 2024, stating "u arent sorry for shit", before all activity ended. There were also contacts made within hours of her death, and unusual phone activity within 15 minutes of EMS being on scene. The conclusions by law enforcement were without retaining or testing any evidence-based items among several individuals for an unknown amount of hours or days following New Year, or against any challenged portion, or personal knowledge of Codie as an individual, past or current circumstances, personal safety, or conducting thorough interviews or interrogations of anyone who communicated with Codie, in prior calls, or the neighborhood who heard an altercation, within hours of her death. And unlike the statements made and known routine, Louis was never without contact nor was Codie out of sight, in his presence, including while she was working, he has been asked to leave the building. He has had other altercations with her and others in our household. Codie has a clean driving record, no criminal record, nor is Codie known to any law enforcement agencies. The Medical Examiner's pathologist Dr Tracey S. Corey determined Accident acute ethanol by postmortem toxicology testing. Nevertheless, there have always been concerns with the accuracy of specimen samples, time-lapse, handling, testing, etc. Over months and with multiple requests for xrays and further lab testing, through May 2023, Codie finally received x-ray scans despite not receiving a radiology report; the films were incomplete, misnumbered, missing images, incorrectly labeled, had misidentifying age, and misrepresented location. Furthermore, after viewing records and noting the family had to confirm and question the authenticity, due to identifying medical details. Likewise, Vitreous fluid was also finally tested in May 2023 after months of requesting additional labs; however, not tested to understand or compare antemortem versus postmortem levels, against Codies known medical condition(s)( PCOS, gastric, infections), any trauma, or medication but only to confirm ethanol level. As per statements and reports, authorities disregarded evidence of any physical abuse, defensive wounds, any possible sexual assault, evidence at the scene, on her or her clothing, and any further lab testing of samples, organs, and tissues. Other vital information not listed in reports or the autopsy is past known injuries, broken bones, scars, and birthmarks. Additional images and reports included blood on the body and at the scene, uncollected, and untested. There was no indication of the approximate time, she lay deceased, body temp, stomach contents or last consumed food or drink. Likewise, inconsistencies, between statements and reports listing different locations within the room, positions, and prior movements of the body before EMS arrived. The descendants' medical records, labs, current medical conditions, infections, medications, pregnancies, or menses were not listed, verified, or utilized. It does not list first or secondary causes. The M.E. remarked Codie was just drunk and asphyxiated herself, however, she continued to discount further questions of whether anyone may have asphyxiated her accidentally or intentionally. M.E. stated we are looking for TV show answers! (meaning only to be solved on TV) The file received stated that death was Certified on January 11, 2023, as an accident acute ethanol before specimens were received at the Pennsylvania lab on January 12, 2023. Filed an inquest with all our concerns, along with misconduct to FDLE however received the letter(s) stating among other things, that they did not have authority over, the medical examiner’s office, could not direct the medical examiner to view or change the cause and manner of death and stated the autopsy was based on the M.E.'s best medical opinion, with the information that had been shared with her at the time, and with the conclusion of any preformed medical testing. Referred us back to the sheriff's office for an investigation The family has also endeavored for eighteen months, to get an appointment with Sheriff William "Billy "Woods to discuss the circumstances pertaining to our concerns, investigation, the edited incident report, and the missing lapse of time with the body-worn camera footage. The family also tried to discuss the use of their biased conclusions and victimization statements; the Sheriff’s office and representatives have stated among many things; “they don't have a victim", "she could have called 911" or "just left". However, we were met with the same, complacent, dismissive attitude, lacking empathy, who then went on to say he knew about the criminal activity, and until M.E. changed the ruling blamed the agency and judicial system. To date, the family has only received a lack of incompetence, inadequate communication, and a case full of injustices. The family has continuously asked to meet with both agencies, correspondingly spoken with the mayor, county Commissioners, and many local representatives, through the Governor's offices, to discuss discrepancies, disregarded information, and to challenge findings and rulings for a full investigation. The family has obtained and offered all governing agencies, additional officials, evidence of time-stamped, factual data, additional incidents, and court discoveries; to view inconsistent and contradicting arguments. There is additional discovery of details, concerning the use of a fictitious name(s), along with both past and current backgrounds of criminal records. The family has not received an explanation, of observed grievances, concerning any patterns of bruises, abrasions, scrapes, or defensive wounds on Codie's face, torso, and limbs. There has not been any explanation of the untested blood, items, or clothes upon Codie or at the scene. Nor explained between the five listed individuals, who are responsible for the uncharacteristic use of personal accounts, phone calls, and data activities, and who then hid it in the couch while Codie is presumed deceased. No, explanation of contradicted statements with either witnesses or officers of discrepancies in findings and reports as noted to the family. As informed there will not be a full proper investigation disregarding all factual evidence, and injuries, solely due to the M.E. ruling listed as her opinion of accident due to postmortem ethanol level. (without ruling out other possibilities or any possible errors) Five individuals who maintain or conceal information by stating, they knew nothing, heard nothing, and saw nothing. The family has been exasperated with misconduct, ethical procedures, and professionalism. Similarly, when addressing the biased conclusions, and victimization statements when dealing with a family, at the most devastating time. However, even after speaking with additional professionals and officials, and ensuing evidence and documents, the family is referred to the sheriff's office for a full investigation. The family has only received a lack of incompetence, inadequate communication, and a case full of injustices. The family does have further evidence of the autopsy and images, however family has concerns about releasing images, or equivalent evidence to the public at this time.

Additional Details:

The family had resorted to requesting all records, additional sources for investigation, and a review of evidence to establish probable cause(s). The most likely scenario is that Codie’s death is not an accident, and has suspicious circumstances, with foul play of murder or homicide. Individuals in the residence had hours to align narratives, clean up, rearrange, or stage the scene. As stated in the letter from the Sheriff's office, the investigation was denied, based solely on incomplete records, misrepresented, contradicted statements, and narrated opinions. The statements, reports, forensic evidence, and nature of the injuries contest each other and don't support the narrative of just being drunk, a simple fall, or asphyxiating herself as stated. Text messages and timeframe, stating the boyfriend was agitated, drunk, and in a fit of rage, as previously learned, is crucial evidence regarding what happened and by those who assisted in the events that led up to her death, considering the contradicting statements and lack of information from those within and concerning the unaccounted length of time while someone used her phone (unusual account activity) from 7:30 pm through midnight; phone to be located inside the couch when law enforcement located it. As of this date, there are other criminal incidents with similar concerns. The family is laboring to have all evidence in the case reviewed and reopened for a full investigation. The family has been in contact with many other families in comparable circumstances. The family has requested an inquest to challenge and discuss the cause, manner, misrepresented, inaccurate records, contradictions, and discrepancies with the medical examiner and Law enforcement, but was denied through her attorney. It has also become a public safety issue affecting others and their safety in multiple states. I also want to thank the supporters for keeping this case in the public’s eye and advocating for Codie. Please consider sharing Codie’s story, so her family can get answers and justice in their loved one's case.

Case Last Updated:

Dec 16, 2025