Documents released by state prosecutors show that nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford, who was abducted from her grandmother's home Feb. 24 in Homosassa, Florida, was raped and buried alive in two plastic garbage bags with her hands tied with speaker wire.

When her body was found March 19, Jessica was wearing shorts and a shirt, not the pink nightgown she was wearing at the time of her abduction. Her body was wrapped in two plastic trash bags, tied at her head and feet.

"The victim appeared to be enclosed in a black garbage bag in a sitting position, with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms between them," sheriff's Detective Brian Spiddle said in the documents.

She was found clutching her favorite stuffed animal, a purple dolphin.

Her grave was covered by a pile of leaves. John Evander Couey, 46, who has been charged with murder for the death of Lunsford, told investigators where to find the grave, the court papers said.

He told police that she was still alive when he placed her in the trash bags and buried her. The medical examiner found signs of sexual battery when her body was examined.

See Also:
State Prosecutors: 9-Year-Old Was Raped, Buried Alive
Jessica Lunsford Bill Passes House
Locate Registered Sex Offenders

Previous Articles:
John Evander Couey Charged in Jessica's Death
Police Find Jessica Lunsford's Shallow Grave
Sex Offender Questioned in Jessica Lunsford Case
Police Puzzled Over Disappearance of Jessica Lunsford
9-Year-Old Jessica Lunsford Still Missing