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Brevard sheriff confirms body found near motel is missing corrections officer

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The Brevard County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the body found near a Super 8 motel in Titusville is that of missing corrections officer Darrel Conner.

Conner was last seen at the Super 8 early Sunday morning, where his car, keys and cellphone were left behind, authorities said.

On Wednesday, crime scene tape sectioned off a wooded area, but crews were called from the search and authorities were sent to the scene where the body was found.

Conner's family members collapsed in grief after learning of the body, and co-workers of Conner's could be seen embracing and wiping tears away.

Conner's family told Channel 9 that he was a diabetic and had not had his insulin since his disappearance.

On Tuesday, more than 100 of Conner's co-workers and volunteers fanned out near that motel trying to find him.

Conner's daughter told Channel 9 she has never gone a day without talking to her dad.

"My dad was my everything. He meant so much to me. I thank God I do have some closure," said Conner's daughter, D'nita Conner.

"We never gave up hope, but knew as the day goes went by, it was crucial," said Conner's mother, Lula Conner.

"We lost one of our own this morning. We knew each minute that ticked away was a minute we didn't want to face," said Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

Chris Martinez worked alongside the 43-year-old corrections deputy for over a decade and the two were close friends.

"He'll go out of his way to help anybody," said Martinez.

"The minute you saw him, he smiled and happy to be at work and be alive," said Ivey.

At this point, investigators won't say why Conner checked into the motel on Sunday.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine Conner's cause of death.

Channel 9’s Anthony DiLorenzo is at the scene. Follow @ADiLorenzoWFTV for live updates.