Karen Denise High Chitwood was an 18-year-old Caucasian woman who was killed on February 20, 1974, in Orange County, Florida. Her death was ruled a homicide after she was stabbed and slashed with a knife.

Cecil Henry Floyd, later identified as a serial killer active across multiple states in 1973–1974, was connected to Chitwood’s murder. Floyd was arrested after an armed robbery in Arkansas and while in custody confessed to killing Karen Chitwood. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment.

Karen Chitwood’s death remains a stark example of the violence carried out during that crime spree. If anyone knew Karen or has information about her life before February 20, 1974, please share what you can.