Florida Teen Isabella Scavelli Killed After Reporting Sexual Assault: Two Men Convicted in Murder-for-Hire Plot
- Crime Noir
- Nov 12
- 2 min read
On February 7, 2023, 17-year-old Isabella Scavelli was tragically shot and killed at her home in Brooksville, Florida, one day after she and her mother reported that Isabella had been sexually assaulted.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Isabella and her mother went to law enforcement on February 6, 2023, to report the assault by 37-year-old Lenard White. The following night, a man knocked at their door shortly before midnight. During the attack, Isabella was shot in the back while attempting to flee, and her mother was also shot multiple times but survived.
Investigators later uncovered that the murder was part of a murder-for-hire plot. Prosecutors revealed that White had hired 22-year-old Sheldon Robinson to kill Isabella for $6,000, arranging to be in Georgia at the time to establish an alibi.
Pictured: Leonard White, and Sheldon White (left to right) source: KATV.com
Through the execution of search warrants, law enforcement recovered the murder weapon buried in a wooded area near Robinson’s residence. Evidence presented during trial also showed that both defendants engaged in obstruction of justice, destroyed evidence, and discussed plans to have a witness killed.
Following a federal trial, both White and Robinson were found guilty on multiple charges, including:
Conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire
Murder-for-hire
Premeditated first-degree murder
Discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death
Discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime
Witness tampering
Obstruction of justice
Due to the severity of their convictions, both defendants face mandatory life sentences. Sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2026. Another participant in the crime, Keshawn Woods, has pleaded guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Rest in Peace, Isabella Scavelli.
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