Fruitland Florida Confrontation Ends With Cheyenne Kastens Loss As Authorities Charge Suspect
Fruitland, Florida — Cheyenne Kastens, 36, of Georgetown, has become the center of a deeply painful and unsettling homicide investigation after authorities charged 54-year-old Lemar Beasley of Crescent City with first-degree premeditated murder. The violent incident unfolded Friday afternoon outside the Dollar General located along North Highway 17, shattering the sense of routine for shoppers and employees who suddenly found themselves witnessing a horrifying attack in broad daylight.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received multiple 911 calls shortly before 2:00 p.m., reporting a woman being violently assaulted in the store’s parking lot. Responding deputies arrived within minutes, but Kastens had already sustained catastrophic injuries from a stabbing. Emergency medical crews attempted to save her, but she passed away at the scene, leaving bystanders stunned and grieving as crime scene tape surrounded the once-ordinary retail space.
Investigators quickly identified the suspect as Beasley, who fled immediately after the attack. Witnesses reported seeing him speed away in a vehicle heading south, sparking an urgent, county-wide manhunt. Authorities described Beasley as armed, dangerous, and potentially unstable, urging residents to stay alert while deploying aviation units, K-9 teams, and partner agencies to locate him.
For nearly 24 hours, the search spanned rural roads, wooded areas, and residential pockets throughout Putnam County. Fruitland residents described the community’s atmosphere as tense and fearful, with many keeping their children indoors and locking their doors earlier than usual. The Sheriff’s Office released photos of Beasley and pleaded with the public not to approach him if spotted, but to immediately contact law enforcement.
By late Saturday afternoon, the manhunt came to an end when deputies located Beasley in Crescent City. Authorities reported that he was found without incident, though they have not disclosed whether he attempted to flee again or resisted arrest. He was transported to the Putnam County Jail, where he is being held without bond. Detectives have stated that the murder appears targeted rather than random, though the relationship between Beasley and Kastens has not yet been fully described publicly.
Community members from Georgetown to Fruitland have voiced their shock and heartbreak over Kastens’ death. Friends remembered her as warm, vibrant, and hard-working — someone whose presence made others feel comfortable and welcome. Social media posts from acquaintances called her loss “unthinkable,” with many expressing disbelief that such violence occurred in a place as familiar as a Dollar General parking lot.
The store temporarily closed following the incident, offering counseling resources to employees who witnessed the attack. Investigators spent hours processing the scene, reviewing security footage, and collecting evidence believed to support the charge of premeditation.
As the case moves forward, prosecutors are preparing formal filings that could lead to additional charges. Authorities emphasized their determination to seek justice for Kastens and to provide answers for a community grappling with grief, fear, and anger.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with additional information about Beasley’s actions before or after the stabbing to reach out, noting that every detail may help strengthen the case as it heads toward trial.
