MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Human remains were found in the backyard of a home in Highlands after deputies received a tip, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said a woman told them Saturday that a body was buried in a mound of dirt behind a home in Highlands.
“It’s a secluded area, very quiet, very woodsy a little bit off the beaten path,” said Cecelia Koon, spokesperson for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. “So we are, of course following, this investigation as closely as we can and we aren’t releasing the address right now because of the integrity of the investigation.”
A man who was questioned denied that there was a body in the dirt and said the mound was there because he dug a new burn pit about three weeks ago, according to the report.
A search was conducted and a dead man was found buried in the mound, records show.
Authorities have not released details about the man’s identity or the circumstances of his death.
“At this point in time no arrests have been made, but we are working every lead diligently and our detectives are doing everything they can,” Koon said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Detective Simpson, of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 352-368-3586, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP.