In a significant development for Lake County, Florida, Shahidul Islam, a man previously deported from the United States, has been extradited back to face a first-degree murder charge. This follows a thorough year-long investigation into the tragic death of his sister-in-law, Monica Islam, which occurred in 2025.
Timeline of Events
The case began on May 2, 2025, when Monica Islam’s body was discovered at the intersection of Wolf Branch Drive and Scenic Hills Drive in Mount Dora. Monica, who was 44 years old, lived in Eustis and worked at a local Shell gas station. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that the homicide was preceded by a history of domestic disputes involving Monica and her husband, Rashedul Islam, along with his brother, Shahidul.
In December 2024, Monica reported an incident to the Eustis Police Department. She alleged that her husband, Rashedul, had assaulted her and stolen her jewelry and important paperwork related to a property dispute in Bangladesh. During this altercation, Shahidul allegedly threatened Monica with a gun to prevent her from calling 911. Rashedul left the country shortly after and has not returned to the United States.
Investigation and Arrest
Detectives working on the case discovered that Shahidul had an active federal immigration warrant for illegally re-entering the country after a prior deportation. His movements were tracked using license plate readers, which initially linked him to a residence in Sanford, Florida. Upon learning that he had fled to New York in a rental car, the U.S. Marshals Service was enlisted to assist in his arrest. Shahidul was apprehended on May 6, 2025, on the immigration warrant.
The Sheriff’s Office constructed a detailed timeline of the morning of the murder using various investigative tools, including witness statements, surveillance video, phone records, and license plate data. This timeline revealed that Shahidul left his Longwood home at 3:30 a.m., arrived near the Eustis Shell gas station by 5:15 a.m., and contacted Monica shortly thereafter. Surveillance footage showed Monica approaching Shahidul’s vehicle, and by 5:56 a.m., his car was recorded in the area where her body was later found.
Further investigation of Shahidul’s vehicle uncovered significant evidence, including a shattered passenger-side window, a projectile lodged in the passenger door, and blood stains. Forensic testing confirmed a presumptive match to Monica Islam’s DNA.
Legal Proceedings
Following his arrest by federal authorities, Lake County detectives secured a warrant for Shahidul’s arrest on charges of first-degree murder. He remained in federal custody until his recent extradition back to Lake County, where he will face the homicide charge.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
