Arrest in connection with fatal stabbing in Winter Haven

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) – Winter Haven detectives have made an arrest in connection with the July 26 stabbing attack of 26-year-old Angel Snell.

Kenneth Lawrence Foresyth Jr., 21, was taken into custody on August 13, 2024, following a dedicated and thorough search by investigators.

The stabbing occurred right outside a shipping container on the construction site after Snell approached Forsyth and a struggle ensued. Documents and items belonging to Forsyth were found in the shipping container.

Foresyth was found to be working at the Longhorn Steakhouse on First Street in Winter Haven. Investigators arrived on scene on July 28, and an initial schedule from the manager showed Foresyth working the day and time of the murder.

Investigators continued to collect video footage from the night of the incident across the city, which showed a man wearing the same clothing that Foresyth wore on the night of the murder. The man was seen at 10:45 p.m. on July 26 walking north behind the mosque in the area of ​​the construction site and then at 10:47 p.m. running south past the mosque. The 911 call reporting the stabbing came in at 10:52 p.m.

On Tuesday, investigators contacted Foresyth to discuss the discrepancies between the work plan presented and the video footage obtained. Investigators showed Foresyth several images from the video footage and he confirmed that the men in the images were all himself.

Forsyth said he left early on July 26 and walked through town. When questioned about a video showing him running away from the construction site, he told investigators he ran away because of a pebble in his shoe.

As the interrogation continued, it emerged that Foresyth had been inside the shipping container on the night of the murder. He had started a small fire outside when Snell approached the container and a struggle ensued during which Foresyth stabbed the victim multiple times. Foresyth immediately ran away, discarding the knife and the clothing he had been wearing.

The witness, who was with Snell a short distance away, heard the struggle, during which Snell screamed that she had been stabbed, and immediately rushed to her aid, carrying her to Inman Park, where someone gave him his phone to call 911.

On Tuesday, Foresyth was charged with first-degree murder, making a false statement to a police officer regarding a capital crime and destruction/tampering with evidence. He was booked into the Polk County Jail.

“The tireless determination and dedication to finding Miss Snell's killer is a testament to the heart of our detectives and all members of the Winter Haven Police Department,” said Chief David Brannan. “The detectives worked tirelessly around the clock, ensuring no stone was left unturned to make a meaningful arrest.”

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