JENSEN BEACH, Fla. — The body believed to be of a South Florida woman who has been missing for more than a week was found inside a septic tank early Saturday, authorities said.
Cynthia Cole, 57, of Jensen Beach, had been missing since Feb. 24, Treasure Coast Newspapers reported. An overnight dig at the woman’s home revealed a body in the tank, which was buried four feet underground, the newspaper reported.
The state Medical Examiner’s Office is performing an autopsy and identification for the body, according to Treasure Coast Newspapers.
“Detectives have every reason to believe (the body) is that of Ms. Cole,” the Martin County Sheriff’s Office the sheriff’s office said in a statement on Facebook.
Keoki Hilo Demich, 34, was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder on Saturday, WPTV-TV reported. According to the sheriff’s office, Demich performed handyman duties for Cole.
Cole had last been seen alive at the Jammin’ Jensen event in downtown Jensen Beach last month, WPTV reported.
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation is ongoing.