Karen Pais, 67, of Tampa, Florida, was found dead on May 31, 2021, buried in the backyard of her Carrollwood home. Her body was wrapped in garbage bags and bound with bungee cords; investigators reported she had been shot in the chest. Friends had reported her missing days before the discovery.

Karen had lived with her sister, Debra Patton. Debra was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and abuse of a dead human body. Friends said Karen had often expressed fear that her sister might one day kill her. Debra was initially found incompetent to stand trial and sent to Florida State Hospital in 2022; in January 2025 she was later found competent to stand trial and a hearing was scheduled to set a trial date.

Karen’s friends remembered her as loyal and caring, who had cared for their parents until their deaths. The community is still processing the circumstances of her death. Does anyone who knew Karen or her family have information that could help this case?