A 65-year-old man wanted in connection with a double homicide outside a Vero Beach library has been identified after his body was discovered in a wooded area. The Vero Beach Police Department (VBPD) confirmed that the remains, found on Wednesday in the 2000 block of Cove Drive, were positively identified as Jesse Ellis through dental records.
Discovery of the Remains
According to VBPD, a pool maintenance worker discovered the heavily decomposed body hanging in a wooded area near a home around 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday and immediately called 911. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, investigators initially said identification would take time, noting the remains may have been in the area for several weeks or even months.
Identification Through Dental Records
Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey said the medical examiner was able to positively identify the body as Ellis using dental X-rays obtained from a local dentist Ellis had visited in February of this year. “We were able to get X-rays from a local dentist he had been to in February of this year. Sent the X-rays and in a matter of seconds to minutes, the M.E. identified him positively,” Currey said.
Circumstances Surrounding the Death
Chief Currey said the medical examiner was unable to determine an official cause of death during Thursday morning’s autopsy. However, police believe Ellis may have died by suicide, based on injuries observed on his neck and a belt found hanging from a tree bearing his initials.
Ellis had been wanted in connection with a double homicide that allegedly occurred outside a local library in Vero Beach. With his death, the investigation into the homicides continues as authorities work to bring closure to the case.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Vero Beach Case
Who was the man found in the wooded area in Vero Beach?
The Vero Beach Police Department identified the remains as Jesse Ellis, a 65-year-old man who had been wanted in connection with a double homicide outside a local library. He was identified through dental records.
How was the body discovered?
A pool maintenance worker found the heavily decomposed remains hanging in a wooded area near a home in the 2000 block of Cove Drive around 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday and called 911.
What did the medical examiner determine about the cause of death?
According to Chief Currey, the medical examiner was unable to officially determine a cause of death due to the advanced decomposition. Police believe Ellis may have died by suicide based on physical evidence found at the scene.
How long had the remains been at the location?
Investigators noted that due to the advanced state of decomposition, the remains may have been in the wooded area for several weeks or even months before being discovered.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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