Body found buried in yard during search for drugs, guns

FELLSMERE — Authorities found more than they expected when they executed a search warrant at a home in Fellsmere Wednesday. Along with drugs and guns, deputies discovered an unidentified body, buried in the backyard.

“I couldn’t have imagined this would happen,” said the property landlord, who declined to give his name, on Thursday. “It’s very sad.”

Heriberto Gamez PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

A cadaver dog led deputies to the backyard, where they began digging. Buried about three feet deep, law enforcement officials discovered skeletal human remains.

Deputies said they knew the residents of the home, Heriberto Gamez, 31, and Selena Rodriguez, 23, had previously sold drugs to 23-year-old Brandon Gilley, a man who has been missing from the county since April 2018. Details regarding the unidentified remains were not immediately released.

“Overnight, our detectives worked tirelessly to recover the remains of a body in Fellsmere,” Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar said in a statement. “We are proud of the efforts of our entire team of investigators. We ask for your patience as we identify the remains.”

Selena Rodriguez PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

It was not immediately known if Gamez and Rodriguez would be charged for the body found in the yard. An autopsy will be performed on the remains Friday, sheriff’s spokesman Maj. Eric Flowers said.

A foul smell still lingered in the air at the home Thursday afternoon. The landlord could be seen cleaning the backyard, just several feet away from the hole where detectives removed the human remains.

 

 

 

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.Indian River County Sheriff's Office deputies on Wednesday found a body buried 3 feet deep in a backyard while executing a search warrant at a home in Fellsmere, a news release shows. Deputies have not confirmed if the body belongs to Brandon Gilley, who has been missing for about a year. The landlord of the property was seen cleaning the backyard on Thursday. An autopsy will be performed on the body Friday, sheriff’s officials said.

Posted by Nick Samuel on Thursday, April 4, 2019

 

As for the search warrant that set the discovery into motion, the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team went to a house located at 12945 100th Lane and recovered several guns and drugs, authorities said. Deputies arrested Gamez and Rodriguez.

Gamez was arrested on two outstanding warrants for possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. He was also charged with an outstanding felony warrant for violation of probation from Brevard County.

Rodriguez was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Detectives recovered two rifles, one stolen shotgun, one stolen handgun, 16.5 grams of crack cocaine, 4.5 grams of powder cocaine, 11.7 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, authorities said.

Cadaver dogs alerted deputies to an area in the backyard about 3 p.m., Flowers said. Deputies marked off an area and began digging for several hours until the remains were discovered.

It was unclear how long the body had been buried. Thursday, deputies were still processing evidence at the home where Gamez and Rodriguez lived.

Brandon Gilley
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Gamez remains at the Indian River County Jail on his outstanding warrant from Brevard County. Rodriguez was released Wednesday from the jail on $1,000 bond.

The landlord said he did not know about any drug activity at the home. The landlord, who has managed the property for about 10 years, said Gamez, Rodriguez and children lived there for about three years.

Investigators hope the case could produce information about Gilley, who went missing about a year ago.

Gilley, who still has not been found, was last seen April 7, 2018, at the Sebastian Winn-Dixie at 995 Sebastian Boulevard, deputies said. Gilley was last seen driving a 2003 black 4-door Chevrolet Cavalier.

More than a week later, Palm Bay officers found Gilley’s unoccupied vehicle on Wesday Road. An investigation continues.

 

 

Photo by Nick Samuel

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