Deputies: Realtor finds body on Groveland property while showing home to clients

GROVELAND, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death after a body was found Saturday by a realtor who was showing a property to clients.

Investigators believe the person responsible for the death knew the property well because the home is in a remote area of the county.

"Deputies responded very quickly and they met with a real estate agent and some potential buyers who were there looking at the property, which is up for sale,” said Lt. John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. “As they walked the property and were looking at it, they found these remains about 30 to 40 feet behind the residence there that is on the property."

The body was found in a shallow grave in a wooded area.

Investigators said the victim is a woman, but they don’t know how she was killed or how she ended up on the property.

Officials said the owner of the property lives in North Florida and the home has been abandoned for more than seven years.

"You would have to be familiar with that area or really get lucky because it's a very heavily wooded area in a remote location,” said Herrell. “The home actually sits at least a quarter of a mile off of Douglas Road, so it's way back in the woods."

Investigators have not said how long they believe the body has been on the property.

“Definitely very strange. We’re glad that they found the remains and now we’re just hopeful that we can bring some closure to the case,” Herrell said.

Deputies urge anyone with information on the death to give them a call.

Cox Media Group