Human remains identified as missing Putnam mother

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — From missing persons case to murder investigation.

In a sad update Tuesday, deputies with the Putnam County Sheriffs Office say remains found over the weekend are that of missing 20-year-old mother Nyeisha Nelson.

The remains, discovered Saturday, were found in a shallow grave off CR 308 approximately 4 to 5 miles from where Nelson’s car was discovered last week, according to deputies.

PCSO first announced Nelson’s disappearance on a Facebook post on Feb. 18. Family members told deputies Nelson picked up her daughter and dropped her off at school on Feb. 10 and a neighbor told deputies they witnessed Nelson in the yard of her home on Ohio Street before leaving in her 2008 grey Honda Accord.

On Feb. 19, PCSO located Nelson’s car in the woods along Old Highway 17 and issued a precautionary search warrant for her home, standard protocol when foul play is possible.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, human remains were found after investigators shifted the investigation to a heavily wooded area near the intersection of County Road 308 and Palmer Sawmill Road just outside of Crescent City.

Putnam County’s chief deputy, Col. Joseph Wells, did not reveal how deputies were alerted to the remains.

The PCSO stated the District 23 medical examiner began an autopsy of the remains on Monday afternoon. Deputies said fingerprints, dental records and DNA may be needed to positively identify the remains.

Cox Media Group