Deputies in Martin County said they have recovered what they think is the body of a Jensen Beach woman inside of a septic tank. Detectives spent hours excavating the 57-year-old Cynthia Cole’s backyard Friday night into Saturday morning while investigating her disappearance. They located a woman’s body submerged in the contents of the home’s septic tank about 4 feet underground. Cole was reported missing on Wednesday. She was last seen at a community music and arts event known as the Jammin’ Jensen in Jensen Beach on Feb. 24.Officials located and arrested 34-year-old Keoki Hilo Demich, who was Cole’s handyman, shortly after the discovery. He’s been charged with second-degree murder.”He made several statements that we know are false so he was charged with second-degree murder,” said Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.Snyder says Ring cameras and security footage show Demich exiting Cole’s car near Demich’s home along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Stuart, the same night when Cole was last seen.”I’ve been doing this 40 plus years. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Snyder said.Snyder says investigators are still collecting more evidence and Demich could face more charges. Positive identification by the medical examiner’s office is expected shortly, but detectives said they “have every reason to believe” that what they discovered is Cole’s body.
Deputies in Martin County said they have recovered what they think is the body of a Jensen Beach woman inside of a septic tank.
Detectives spent hours excavating the 57-year-old Cynthia Cole’s backyard Friday night into Saturday morning while investigating her disappearance.
They located a woman’s body submerged in the contents of the home’s septic tank about 4 feet underground.
Cole was reported missing on Wednesday. She was last seen at a community music and arts event known as the Jammin’ Jensen in Jensen Beach on Feb. 24.
Officials located and arrested 34-year-old Keoki Hilo Demich, who was Cole’s handyman, shortly after the discovery. He’s been charged with second-degree murder.
“He made several statements that we know are false so he was charged with second-degree murder,” said Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.
Snyder says Ring cameras and security footage show Demich exiting Cole’s car near Demich’s home along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Stuart, the same night when Cole was last seen.
“I’ve been doing this 40 plus years. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Snyder said.
Snyder says investigators are still collecting more evidence and Demich could face more charges.
Positive identification by the medical examiner’s office is expected shortly, but detectives said they “have every reason to believe” that what they discovered is Cole’s body.