Person-of-interest wanted in Port Orange homicide

PORT ORANGE, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Police are searching for a person-of-interested after a woman was found dead in a Port Orange home. 

According to investigators, the body of Diana Kessler was found inside a home on Hatteras Drive on Monday, by someone who was stopping by to feed the cat.  

"I found somebody dead in the house," a caller told a 911 operator. "Oh my God. I am a wreck!"

Preliminary autopsy results later indicated that Kessler had an excess of 100 stab wounds and blunt force trauma to the victim's head. She also displayed several defensive wounds on her extremities, which despite her small size, indicated an effort to defend herself against the attack. 

Officers determined that Kessler was the victim of a homicide and was not a resident of the home. Police say the home belongs to the parents of Thomas McMullen, who is the person of interest in this case.

McMullen, 37, is possibly driving a 1998 Buick Regal. The vehicle is maroon in color, four doors, has extensive damage on the driver side, and bears Florida tag M534QE. Police say that he is a known narcotics user who frequents the area of International Speedway Boulelvard in Daytona Beach. 

Kessler and McMullen were known to each other, according to police.  Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Port Orange Police Department at 386-506-5878 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS. However, given the violent nature of the crime, those with information pertaining to the location of McMullen Jr. is asked to contact police central dispatch at 386-248-1777 or 911 as quickly as possible.