Body of missing woman found in Martin County backyard septic tank

Author: AP
Published: Updated:
Credit: Martin County Sheriff’s Office

Deputies found the body of a Florida woman in a septic tank buried in her backyard, and her handyman has been charged with killing her, authorities said Saturday.

Investigators in Jensen Beach, Florida, found a body believed to be that of Cynthia Coles, submerged in the septic tank 4 feet underground after hours of excavating her back yard late Friday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.

Shortly after finding the body, deputies arrested her handyman, Keoki Hilo Demich, who was charged with second-degree murder. Cole, 57, had been missing for more than a week.

No further details were provided. Jensen Beach is almost 50 miles north of West Palm Beach.

“There are elements to this case still being investigated,” the post said. “We will update the community with additional information as it becomes available.”

There was no online court record available for Demich, so it was unknown if he had an attorney.

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