On June 16, 2003, Ronald Leggett, a business owner in the Lakeland area, was found murdered inside his residence on Timberidge Drive in Lakeland. His parents discovered him when they went to check on his well-being. Leggett had not been heard from in several days. Leggett sustained multiple blunt force trauma and stab wounds. He owned many rental properties in the Lakeland area and operated his own used appliance business. He was known to many area residents and friends as “Santa Claus."

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit at (863) 298-6379, or send an email to coldcase@polksheriff.org.