Body believed to be missing Putnam man found in Marion County

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — Putnam County deputies say a body has been recovered that is likely that of Floyd Parrish, who hasn't been seen since last Friday.

It may take days to identify him or charge a man who's being held as a person of interest in the case. The homicide investigation is spanning more than 350 miles.

Missing person flyers were hanging outside Parrish's home. To friends and neighbors he was known as Andy.

"He was a friendly guy. Worked as a security guard," said neighbor David Turner.

Turner lived next to Parrish and said he was fairly quiet and he didn't notice any red flags. But a police report from Athens Clarke County Police indicates problems.

Parrish was last seen Friday in Athens, Georgia. He drove to Gainesville that night and then met with Rick Gertler to buy guns at Parrish's Interlachen home. On Saturday, Parrish's truck was found near Whitehouse off 301 in Jacksonville. A body believed to Parrish was found in Marion County.

Sunday, Parrish's brother filed a police report in Georgia and told officers a man called him and said Parrish was in trouble and claimed that Parrish took $15,000 and was going to go sell guns he has collected for more than 50 years.

Parrish's brother said he would never sell them. But deputies say Gertler bought the guns and now he is charged with grand theft and armed burglary of Parrish's truck. While investigators work to piece it all together, Parrish's family is grieving.

His niece wrote this on Facebook: "The fact that he was murdered and buried in the forest is beyond sickening and heart wrenching."

Turner said he hopes they get answers.

"I was kinda shocked," he said.

Deputies say there are several persons of interest but would only name Gertler as one.

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