The case of a long-missing Tallahassee area man is now officially considered a homicide. Investigators have found Mike Williams’ remains 17 years after he allegedly headed for a duck hunt in Jackson County in 2000.
After receiving new information, Mark Perez says Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents spent days searching extensively at an undisclosed location for Williams, 31-years-old at the time. Perez is the Special Agent in Charge.
“That search led to the recovery of human remains and FDLE crime lab analysts confirmed through DNA analysis that the human remains are those of Mike Williams,” he said. “It was also determined that 17 years did not hide how Mike Williams died. Further forensic analysis concluded that Mike Williams was in fact murdered. Now, that we have recovered the remains and have additional forensic evidence, our focus has shifted to bringing those responsible for his death to justice.”
Perez says for now, FDLE is not disclosing how or when they found the remains, what condition they’re in, how Williams died, or any other information that could give the killer an advantage.
The case has been considered suspicious for years and has been covered extensively by the Tallahassee Democrat. Williams' best friend, Brian Winchester, helped him write a $1 million insurance policy six months before he disappeared. Five years later, he married Williams' widow, Denise.
The FDLE announcement comes the day after Winchester was sentenced to 20 years in prison for kidnapping Denise Williams.
For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.
