PALM BAY, Fla. — Investigators in Florida arrested a man after a missing woman’s body was found, authorities said.
In a news release, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said that Daniel Stearns, 32, was arrested Friday after human remains were found in a wooded area in Palm Bay.
The human remains are believed to be Nancy Howery, 44, who was reported missing from Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, on Feb. 18, according to WFTV.
Detectives with the Indian Harbour Beach Police Department said they uncovered evidence that Howery may have been a victim of foul play, the sheriff’s office said.
Stearns was identified as a suspect in Howery’s disappearance, WFTV reported.
Investigators of the GAMEOVER task force and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive and Aviation Units conducted surveillance on him.
Early Thursday, Stearns was seen leaving his house and heading to an “undeveloped wooded area” in Palm Bay. This area is referred to as the “The Compound,” the sheriff’s office said. Stearns was allegedly seen trying to get rid of the evidence and was taken into custody.
Investigators searched the area and reportedly found the human remains, according to WFTV.
Authorities said additional forensic testing will be done to positively identify the human remains.
Investigators learned that Stearns and Howery were in a relationship, according to WFTV. On the last day Howery was seen alive on Feb. 15, it was believed that she and Stearn had gotten into some kind of argument where Stearns had allegedly shot Howery to death.
Over the days following the deadly argument, Stearns had allegedly dismembered the body and then burned it. Stearns also allegedly buried the remains in multiple locations, the sheriff’s office said.
Stearns was taken into custody Friday afternoon. According to WFTV, he has been charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and mutilation of a dead body. He is being held without bail.