Lee County woman gets life in prison for killing ex-boyfriend

Nbc-2.com

Dec 16, 2013

LEE COUNTY - A Lee County woman will serve life in prison for shooting and killing her ex-boyfriend. Melissa Webb admitted to the murder and apologized to the family of victim Bryan Sorendino before learning her sentence Monday.

In November, a jury found Webb guilty of shooting Bryan Sorendino to death before wrapping his body in a sleeping bag and dumping it in Charlotte County.

His body was found a month later in a wooded area off SR-31 buried under a pile of debris.

"I still feel guilty. I took anther human being's life. I took Bryan's life," Webb said. "I lost total control over any rational thinking that night and the days that followed."

Webb said drugs affected her decision-making at the time of the killing.

"I want all of you to know I am truly sorry, and I know that's never going to be enough," Webb said. "I'm sorry."

Sorendino's mother, Rosina McDonald, left court before Webb gave a statement, but McDonald says her apology does not bring Sorendino back.

McDonald expressed disgust with Webb's behavior in the days between the murder and the discovery of her son's body, noting much of what happened was not admissible during the trial.

"You just can't imagine the horror of what we've lived and what we've experienced," McDonald said. "I've sat through two years of hell. If emotions bleed, I don't have one ounce of blood left."

Sorendino's family described him as a Navy veteran who loved sports and left behind two daughters. They said he was not violent, discounting defense claims during trial that Sorendino was abusive and Webb killed him out of fear for her life. The jury didn't buy that story, convicting Webb in just an hour and a half.

"He was a brave and, courageous man who defended our freedom," said Sorendino's aunt, Mary Ellen Saba. "Nothing will take away the pain we feel everyday."

Webb's mother, Vivian Webb, said her daughter's life spiraled out of control as a teenager, leading to abusive relationships and an addiction to pain killers. She said she never imagined Webb would kill and spoke of the devastation it has caused both families.

"My heart bleeds for them, for their family and for their loss," Vivian Webb said.

The judge was required to hand down the life sentence because of Webb's prior felony convictions.

 

Homicide suspect arrested in Sorendino case

Winknews.com

September 27, 2011

FORT MYERS, Fla.- On Monday, September 26, Melissa Christine Webb, 28, was arrested at the Lee County Jail for the murder of Bryan Sorendino.

Following the identification of Sorendino after his body had been discovered in Charlotte County, homicide detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation.

Several witnesses were located that provided information which led to the identification of Melissa Webb as the suspect. Between the time Sorendino was last seen alive and the time his body was discovered, Webb told witnesses differing stories as to his whereabouts. She also told at least one witness she shot and killed Sorendino.

One witness reportedly visited Sorendino's house on August 24th, after not hearing from him, only to come in contact with Webb, who told him Sorendino had gone to Jacksonville to visit his daughter. Webb also told the witness that Sorendino had sold her his 1994 Camry.

Another witness reported to detectives that he thought it out of character for Sorendino to borrow money without returning it, so he went to Sorendino's residence and met with Webb. She told the witness Sorendino had gone to Orlando to visit old friends from the Navy and would not be returning. The witness asked how he left without his vehicle, to which she said Sorendino had purchased a new car, he sold her his Camry. The witness found it unusual, as he knew Sorendino didn't have much money.

A third witness reported that he was called by Webb on August 20th and told she needed his help (he was not told what she needed help with). Webb drove to the witness, picked him up and drove him back to the residence that she and Sorendino had been sharing. She told the witness there was a body in a sleeping bag located inside the fenced-in front entryway and that she needed help putting it into the trunk of her car. Webb then told the witness that she had shot Sorrendino and that his body was in the sleeping bag. The witness saw the red sleeping bag exactly where Webb said it would be. She backed the vehicle up to the gate and the witness helped Webb put Sorendino's body into the trunk. Webb then told the witness to stay at the residence until Webb returned a few hours later.

The same witness told detectives that a few days later, Webb showed him a small caliber firearm and asked him to get rid of it for her, but he refused. The firearem described to the detective was the same as the gun found to have killed Sorendino. While riding in the car together, Webb asked the witness to help her get rid of Sorendino's vehicle. Webb then parked the car, saying she was going to meet her mother, leaving the witness in the car. The witness waited in the vehicle, but Webb never returned and never returned his calls. The witness parked the car and told detectives where it was located.

Sufficient probable cause existed for the arrest of Melissa Webb for one count of Second Degree Murder in the death of Bryan Sorendino.

 

Melissa Webb

The victim

Bryan Sorendino