Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating after a deer hunter reported finding human remains Sunday in the area of Forest Road 5 in Umatilla.
The body was reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC then contacted MCSO.
The hunter stated that the air smelled “like death.” A short time later he found a decomposing body, which was covered with brush.
According to reports, on October 15, the hunter and his friends were in the area placing a deer stand. When the men returned to the area on Sunday, one of the hunters said that an area where he thought he heard a deer scratching looked suspicious. The hunter then asked one of the other men to grab a shovel, at which time he began digging and discovered the body.
At this time, detectives are not releasing any information about the body.
The investigation is ongoing.
Information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact MCSO at 352-732-9111, or please call Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP. Tipsters can also visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.