Horse racing, gambling enthusiast found dead

ODESSA, Fla. – Hillsborough County Sheriff's detectives are investigating the suspicious death of a lawyer found dead in his home.

Lawrence P. Higgins was found dead in his home Friday morning. Besides owning a few small businesses, the 61-year-old Higgins was a racehorse aficionado who once told a racing Web site that he bet $1 million a year on the sport.

Higgins, who moved to the area in 2000 from Maryland, also owned several racing thoroughbreds and was the executive vice president of the Tampa Bay Downs Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Deputies said Higgins was the victim of a homicide and suffered "upper body trauma."