A woman who told police that she was raped last Friday near the small bird fountain in Lake Eola Park by an unknown white male, fabricated the story, Orlando Police Department investigators said today.
The unidentified woman had told police that around 2:00 – 3:00 am, on May 14, while sitting on a bench in Lake Eola Park an unknown white male had passed by and spoken to her. She stated once the man walked several yards away from her in an easterly direction, she got up to leave the area when she was grabbed from behind by the suspect who pulled her hair and placed his hand over her mouth. The woman also stated that the man took her into a grassy area near the bench where she was sexually battered her.
The woman also stated that she got up and walked west to the Bus terminal where she called a crisis help line and was referred to the Orlando Police.
Since the alleged incident, detectives followed up on numerous leads, as well as located and contacted persons the woman had spoken prior to and after the “rape.” According to police none of the witnesses corroborated her story nor did any of the forensics support her allegations.
Based on conversations with these individuals as well as someone she had been living with, on Wednesday, detectives re-interviewed the woman who admitted she made up the allegations. She denied any sexual assault had taken place and told police she came up with the suspect’s description from a person who did speak to her and who she claimed told her she was attractive and didn’t belong on the streets.
Owing to the woman’s false claims, over the past several days, the investigation had multiple impacts on OPD, including utilizing approximately 40 hours of the lead detective, two other detectives, along with a sergeant; FDLE prioritized the case; crimeline reported 80 tips; multiple witnesses were interviewed and the community was placed in fear.
OPD investigators are currently reviewing the case to determine whether to charge the woman with making a false report.
