TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Nearly four years after her murdered daughter’s body was found dismembered across McKay Bay, a Pennsylvania mother is asking of one thing: justice.

“It’s one thing when you lose a loved one, but then to have done to them afterwards what was done is so traumatic,” said Susan George, mother of Stephanie Crone-Overholts.

According to Tampa Police, Stephanie Crone-Overholts’ remains were found in McKay Bay in Nov. 2021.

Authorities launched a death investigation on Nov. 11, 2021, after two fishermen identified what appeared to be a human leg in the body of water. In the days to follow, more of Crone-Overholts’ remains were found.

According to an affidavit, detectives went to Crone-Overholts’ last known address, which was in Lutz. The homeowner identified was Robert Kessler.

Kessler let authorities know he had met Crone-Overholts at a McDonalds. He said she was in need of a place to stay, and he allowed her to stay with him for several weeks in his daughter’s bedroom.

Kessler told officials he did not know of Crone-Overholts’ location nor the last time he saw her.

Authorities interviewed Kessler’s 8-year-old daughter, and she told them the evening of Nov. 5, Crone-Overholts and her father got into an argument, the affidavit said. She recalled Crone-Overholts asking her father for $200 and she would leave if he paid her. Her father told her to go to sleep and then her father and Crone-Overholts went outside.

Meanwhile, George told 8 On Your Side she received a final text from Crone-Overholts around that same evening.

“It said that she needed money for a car, and the person that she was staying with had changed his mind, and she needed to get out of there,” George said. “That person was trying to get her to do something illegal, and she wouldn’t do it.”

George confirmed to News Channel 8 she believes the person her daughter was referring to was Kessler.

According to the affidavit, detectives received court authorization to search Kessler’s car. Authorities said they found suspected blood on the hood and both exterior sides of the car, as well as on the driver’s side floorboard and inside the trunk. Detectives also searched Kessler’s minivan and found suspected blood inside of it.

A search warrant was obtained to search Kessler’s home and investigators found that blood found on the mattress and kitchen cabinet matched Crone-Overholts’ DNA.

Kessler spoke to 8 On Your Side about the search of both his vehicles and home.

“They got a search warrant, and they took my van, and they’re not going to find anything, there is no evidence in there,” Kessler said. “There is evidence that she had been in here probably, but that’s it.”

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Office jail records, Kessler was arrested on Nov. 23, 2021, and is being held at the Falkenberg Road Jail without bond. A judge ordered he remain held as he awaits trial.

“It’s not like one case is more important than the other, come on, we need justice, we need peace,” George said. “I need my peace of mind back. I need to be able to go to my daughter’s grave and say, ‘We got justice for you.'”

News Channel 8 reached out to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office on this case and received this statement in response:

Our hearts are with the victim’s family as they continue bravely down the path to justice with us. We know how painful these delays can feel, and that’s why our prosecutors and victim advocates have spent a great deal of time talking with the family and explaining every step of this process. 

In this case, the defense raised questions about the defendant’s competency around the time the trial was set in the summer of last year. That issue had to be litigated, and then the defense attorney’s schedule could not accommodate a trial until 2026.  These are factors outside of our control, but we make sure the family understands the procedural delays. When this case reaches the courtroom, we will be fully prepared to fight for them and hold the defendant accountable.

Erin Maloney, Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office 13th Judicial Circuit

The state attorney’s office confirmed a status hearing is set for Nov. 20.

George is aware of the upcoming court date but continues to long for a trial date in which she hopes she will see justice for her daughter.

“He sits in that prison, gets his medical aid taken care of, gets his commissary,” George explained. “Interacts with, you know, other inmates in there. Where is she? She doesn’t have that. She can’t do that anymore. She’s not here anymore.”

This is a developing story, stick with 8 On Your Side for developments.