Manhunt Underway for Man Accused of Killing Ex-Girlfriend Who Made Frantic 911 Call Before She Was Found Dead in Her Trunk

A manhunt is underway in Florida for a 62-year-old man who’s accused of kidnapping and killing his ex-girlfriend, PEOPLE confirms.

On early Thursday morning, Jasmine Samuel, 25, called 911 to report that she had been abducted and forced into the trunk of her own car by her ex-boyfriend and co-worker David Payne while on break at work.

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The call set off a desperate search for Samuel, who remained on the phone with police for about 15 minutes before dispatchers lost contact with her.

According to Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, there were times during the call where sirens could be heard in the background.

Authorities located Samuel’s vehicle at just after 2 a.m. It had been abandoned at the end of a dirt road. They found her body inside the trunk of the car. She had been killed with a firearm, Demings said at a press conference Thursday, declining to elaborate further, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

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Now, authorities are hunting for Payne, who is charged with first-degree murder and armed kidnapping. Demings warned any individual who sees Payne should stay away and call police immediately.

“I cannot emphasize the importance of knowing this individual is a dangerous individual believed to be armed,” said Demings.

Payne has a criminal history – records show he was sentenced in 1973 for killing a non-family member in 1972. And, in 1992, he pleaded guilty to robbery and kidnapping and was sentenced to five years in prison, according to the Sentinel. He pleaded no contest to a 1997 misdemeanor battery charge as well.

Samuel leaves behind two daughters, ages 4 and 7, according to News Channel 9.