Marion County detectives are investigating the beating and stabbing death of a 27-year-old white female.

Deputies discovered the body of Brandi Dawn Duba on the bedroom floor of her Cheri Circle home after responding to a 911 call after midnight, said Marion County Detective Chad Johnson.

Michael Shirley, the victim’s boyfriend, is “a person of interest” being sought by police, Detective Johnson said.

Mr. Shirley is a while male, 6 foot 2 and 265 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, police said.

Ms. Duba's 4-year-old and 6-year-old children were asleep in the living room when officers arrived and, when questioned, did not know any details of their mother’s death. She had been dead about an hour when police arrived.

Ms. Duba was beaten with a baseball bat and stabbed, police said. Detectives said they recovered the bat but have not found a knife.

“It was a very gruesome scene,” Detective Johnson said.

Deputies received a call around midnight about a wrecked and burning vehicle. When they responded, they found a 1990s Jeep Cherokee belonging to Ms. Duba on fire about a mile from the home. Within minutes they received a call about a home on Cheri Circle near Whitwell, said Detective Johnson.

Detective Johnson said police are still conducting interviews.