ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police have identified the body on Wednesday found inside of a burned home in Pine Hills as Joshua Johnson, the teen who was reported missing last week.
According to an OPD release, Johnson's death is ruled as a homicide. Johnson's grandmother told Local 6 last week that the body was her missing grandson, who she believes was kidnapped.
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Police said Johnson was last spotted near Wilts Circle and Mable Butler Avenue on Aug. 15 after he was involved in a fight. Family members searched with police for Johnson that night but couldn't find him.
Davis called police again on Aug. 16 because her grandson still hadn't returned home. According to a news release, two witnesses came forward and told officers they saw the fight happen but thought it wasn't serious. They said they spotted a tan minivan pull up alongside Jonson, who was forced inside the vehicle.
Davis said her grandson was returning home from getting a new ID card for school. He was scheduled to start classes on Monday and was putting his life back on track after getting in trouble with the law, Davis said.
Police are still investigating Johnson's death and urge anyone with information to contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.