A burned body was found in a field in Ruskin, Hillsborough County, Florida, which was initially reported as a “burning mannequin” by a passerby on Saturday morning. When first responders arrived, they discovered that it was a person who had been set on fire. The victim’s body was so severely burned that investigators were unable to identify the victim’s gender for several days.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced on Saturday that the case has been classified as a homicide, and the victim has been identified as an adult male. However, no other information about the victim has been released.
Identification of a Person of Interest
Police have identified a person of interest in the case and have released images and a video of the individual to the media. The investigation is ongoing, and Sheriff Chronister has stated that his office is doing everything they can to determine what happened to the victim. He believes that this is an isolated incident and has vowed to work tirelessly until they determine how this horrific crime occurred.
The Case is at a “Standstill”
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Fentress Fountain told WFLA that the case is at a “standstill” until the medical examiner can determine the victim’s identity. “It’s in their hands right now,” she said on Tuesday, “just to determine who the person is, which could take a while. We don’t have an estimated time frame right now.”
Investigations Continue
Nicholas Minchew, a nearby resident, expressed his shock at the incident and said, “To go that far and to that extent to do something, you’ve got to be very angry at someone.” The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the case or the person of interest is asked to call HCSO at (813) 247-8200.