DIXIE COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) says human remains found in January of 2022 have been identified as those of a man who went missing in 2017.
The sheriff’s office says the remains, which were found by a hiker in the woods near Gornto Springs on January 26, 2022, have been identified as Richard “Rick” Elton. They say personal property that belonged to Elton was found near the remains.
The remains were sent to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Biology lab in Tampa. DNA was extracted from the remains and matched Elton’s DNA profile.
They say Elton’s daughter reported him missing on May 5, 2017. According to DCSO, his daughter had spoken to him ten days prior to him going missing.
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Detectives say he was last seen by his wife, Sissy, during the morning hours of April 26, 2017. This was right before their house caught on fire, which was later determined to be arson.
The sheriff’s office says they are considering his death ‘suspicious’ and foul play is suspected. They are offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest of those involved in Elton’s death.
If you have information regarding Elton’s death, you’re urged to call 352-498-1245.