COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Detectives suspect foul play after a body was found in Columbia County Tuesday afternoon.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office says at approximately 3 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a forest road near NE Gumswamp Road West for a report of a body that was found by a citizen.
Upon arrival, deputies confirmed that there was a dead individual.
"I don't want to release anything from the crime scene but having done this for many years we do suspect the foul play," Columbia County Sheriff, Mark Hunter, said.
The CCSO Forensics team and detectives were investigating on scene hours after the initial call.
“We understand the public’s interest and concern in these types of situations,” Hunter said. “We have a lot of questions we need to answer before we can release further information to the public. We ask for patience and cooperation while we work to protect the integrity of the investigation.”
Deputies say they are working to identify the victim. Hunter said no further information would be released, but he believes it is an isolated incident.
"It's tragic when things like this happen. No one should lose their life and be dumped out here, but it happens in society it's not just here in Columbia County and Lake City it happens everywhere," Hunter said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at (386)758-1095. Citizens may also report information through Crime Stoppers of Columbia County by calling (386)754-7099 or www.columbiacrimestoppers.net.