Body of woman found behind church

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to Shiloh Tabernacle of Praise on W. 26th Street on the Northside. A church member noticed a dead body behind the church.

Sunday night JSO said the body is that of Jessica Wolford, 25. 

Detectives spoke with two witnesses who claim they heard gunshots around 5 a.m. The witness tell police they saw a black man, medium complexion, 5 feet 5 inches tall, between 175 and 200 pounds,bald, wearing blue jeans and a dirty white T-shirt run from the area north on Chase Avenue. 

Sunday evening services at the church were canceled after the grisly discovery.

News4JAX spoke with the pastor, who said he hopes his message will bring new leads in the search for Wolford's killer.

"It's very tragic that something would happen that would not only affect the neighborhood, but affect our worship," Springer said.

"We'll pray for the family and pray for the neighborhood. Pray that the Lord may intervene in the lives of these people's heart and minds that aren't with God."

JSO is asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.