Body Found Identified As Missing Nurse

PALM BEACH GARDENS – Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has positively identified the body  found Thursday in a Clewiston sugarcane field as the missing Palm Beach County school nurse.

According to deputies, the missing person case under suspicious circumstances is now a homicide  investigation.

Kimberly Lindsey, 49, vanished Sunday after returning to her Palm Beach Gardens home. Her car was found in her driveway and her belongings were in the house.

An investigation at the residence indicated a violent confrontation occurred in which her body was removed and taken to the remote area where it was discovered, according to deputies.

The cause of death has not been determined.

The disappearance of the popular school nurse rattled her family, friends and co-workers.

Many of those co-workers gathered in Palm Beach Gardens Friday evening to hold a prayer service for Lindsey.

"She's a fun girl and to think of never hearing her laugh again is heartbreaking," said Laura Hanley one of the organizers of the prayer vigil. "We're looking for hope and miracles."

Her friends lit candles, handed out yellow roses-- Lindsey's favorite color -- and wore yellow ribbons. It was a time to pray, to console each other and to share their fears. 

"Something has happened to her," said Josee Van Horn. "She would never leave her children. Her children were everything to her."

"There has to be foul play of some sort," Hanley said."I can't think of anyone who would ever want to hurt her. She's incredible."

Lindsey was praised for her kind spirit, her humor and her ability to connect with everyone. Those closest to her are trying to rely on her strength to get through this painful time.

"She's the first one to say, deal with it," said Roberta Azrak, who notified deputies that Lindsey had failed to show up for work. "Put on those big girl panties and deal with it. So, we're doing the best we can right now."

Student Jessica Oks said Lindsey always exuded confidence and concern for her students, like the time she carried Jessica from the school gym to the nurse's office when Oks cut a gash in her knee.

"All she wants to do is help you," Oks told CBS 4's Carey Codd. "And she always has comforting words to say."

A sign with Lindsey's picture is posted outside her home.

On Thursday, investigators worked well into the night looking for clues. The same day her three daughters, ages 16, 18, and 20, made an emotional plea for her help to find their missing daughter.

"None of us ever thought this would happen nobody ever does think it will happen but when it does it hits you so hard," said Lindsey's oldest daughter Sarah Lambert. "Our mom is a self-made independent woman and she is the most nurturing, loving, giving woman that I've ever met in my life. Everyone that meets her aspires to be more like her," said Sarah.

Authorities called her disappearance "suspicious" and have combed a heavily wooded property with K-9's and helicopters. Divers also searched a pond outside her Palm Beach Country Estates home Wednesday morning.

Azrak said Lindsey had just finalized a contentious divorce from her husband, Albert Lambert, an ER doctor in Broward County.

"There was many, many days of her being distraught over the situation that could have been dealt with amicably and she tried," said Azrak.

There is now a Facebook page called "Find Kim Lindsey" with pictures of her. There's also a picture of a green shirt that Lindsey was last seen wearing.  The shirt has "Explore, Dream, Discover" written on the back of it.

Lindsey is 5-foot-10, 140 pounds with blond hair and green eyes. There is a $1,000 reward for information about her disappearance.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office at (561) 688-3400 or the nearest law enforcement agency.

Tipsters with information can also call 800-458-TIPS (4577)  and be eligible for the reward.