The deceased body of a man missing in Florida was discovered by homeowners while doing yard work in their backyard.
The victim, who had been missing for three weeks, was identified as 23-year old Sabeion Dowell by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The authorities reported that Dowell had been missing since February and were shocked to make the grim discovery.
Authorities in Jacksonville had responded to a report of human remains being found in the backyard of a home on Sunny Acres Drive East.
A woman close to the homeowner claims she witnessed him finding the body. He was digging and doing yard work when he came across what looked to be human toes and part of a decomposed foot sticking out of the ground.
“We were working inside the house and then the owner came to us and said ‘Hey, there is something here. We have to call 911,’” the woman, who didn’t want to be identified explained. “I just hope that everything gets solved. My reaction to this is just craziness. I would never expect this, especially at a house that I am working at.”
The homeowner, who also did not want to be identified, was renovating the house, which is a rental property, when he said he found the remains.
Expressing concern for the victim and his family, the homeowner said, “I want to offer my condolences to the young person or to the person they found at my property. No family at all should have to go through that, at all.”
Dowell’s family immediately rushed to the home after they received news of the body being found.
Jacksonville authorities say the case is still open and under current investigation to find out how Dowell died and who caused this tragic crime.
“This incident will be classified as pending until the Medical Examiner’s Office can complete their investigation to determine the manner of death,” the JSO said in a statement.
Police said the family hadn’t heard from Dowell in days, which was unusual for him.
