Wanted murder suspect’s body found

The man wanted in connection to the second-degree murder of a Charlotte County mother has been found dead.

Police had been looking for Fidel Fletcher since the day after Christmas. Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers said Fletcher stabbed his wife, Nicole Gates.

The body was found in the woods near Guild St. last Friday after police responded to a call relating to the discovery of a body.

• RELATED: Deputies search for suspect on the run following domestic dispute

The remains were already decomposing, making an immediate identification impossible.

The Major Case Unit conducted an investigation, and the body has since been positively identified.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said that the evidence at the scene suggests that Fletcher took his own life, but the cause and manner of death are still not confirmed.

Gates’ family’s emotions are all over the place. Fletcher has consumed their minds every day for the last month, to the point where they feel they couldn’t even properly grieve their sister. But this news does give them some peace.

“It’s not justice, but it is closure,” said Bianca Anastasia, Gate’s sister. “That’s been what was holding us back from being able to grieve and process what’s going on.”

Gate’s family now focuses on Gate’s three daughters, two of whom called 911 after their mother was stabbed to death.

• RELATED: Mother’s death leaves family overwhelmed while they search for answers

A warrant had been issued for Fletcher in connection with the Dec. 26 murder of Gates. Fletcher fled on foot before police could arrive at the scene, prompting a statewide search.