A teenager in Florida allegedly told his girlfriend that he “killed” a pedophile and “cut him up” before the man’s dismembered remains were found in two suitcases being circled by vultures.
“I killed somebody and cut him up,” Lucas Jones reportedly told his girlfriend after he allegedly killed 28-year-old Colie Daniel, according to police.
Jones, 19, has been charged with murder in connection to Daniel’s death, and he’s currently being held in police custody without bond.
Police said Jones told his girlfriend he wanted to kill sex offenders and printed out a list of registered sex offenders who lived in the nearby area, according to an affidavit viewed by News 6.
Jones and Daniel lived only about a half mile apart in Indialantic, Florida.
Police said that Daniel told his parents he was going over to Jones’ house on March 20. He never returned home, and police later identified his remains after they were found inside two suitcases at Palm Bay’s notorious “Compound” on March 28.
After authorities identified who the remains belong to, they said that some of his other body parts are still missing.
As Us Weekly previously reported, authorities reported to Bombardier Boulevard on March 28 after they received a report of vultures swarming an abandoned suitcase at The Compound.
The responding officers looked through the first suitcase and found human remains in a partially open flap. Meanwhile, a second suitcase that also had human remains in it was located a short distance away.
Jones was connected to the crime when police found an Amazon package inside the first suitcase, which was addressed to the teenager.
Authorities later executed a search warrant at Jones’ house, and they noticed that he had visible wounds and bruises. Suspicions of his involvement in the case grew when Jones reportedly refused to participate in an interview.
It is not currently clear if Jones has entered a plea or retained legal counsel in light of his arrest. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding his arrest.
The Compound is a 2,784-acre area located in the southwestern part of Palm Bay. The land was originally intended to serve as a large residential community, though the plans for the property changed when the original owner went bankrupt in 1991.
Several crimes, including murders, have taken place at the Compound over the years.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t surprised,” councilman Kenny Johnson said in response to the gruesome crime, per News 6.
Johnson added that he suspects even more bodies will be found at The Compound. “I don’t think this is the last one,” he said.
