PALM BAY, Fla. — A 19-year-old Brevard County man is back in custody, now facing a second-degree murder charge after police identified human remains found in suitcases in Palm Bay. Lucas Jones of Indialantic was rearrested on Wednesday, April 1, and is being held at the Brevard County Jail in Cocoa. His first appearance on the new charge is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. today.
Palm Bay police say the investigation began March 28 when deputies responded to reports of vultures circling over a remote, undeveloped area known as “The Compound” near Bombardier Boulevard. Inside an abandoned black suitcase, officers found human remains and a foul odor. A second suitcase with more remains was located nearby. Found with the remains: an Amazon package with Jones’ address stamped on it.
Police identified the victim as 28-year-old Colie Lee Daniel, also of Indialantic. Investigators say Jones and Daniel were in the same home shortly before Daniel disappeared. Jones was first arrested on March 29 on charges including tampering with evidence, abuse of a dead human body, and improper disposal of human remains. He was released on a $7,500 bond. After Daniel was formally identified, Jones was rearrested and charged with second-degree murder.
According to arrest reports, Jones’ girlfriend told detectives she saw Daniel at Jones’ home on the day he disappeared. She said Jones tried to wake Daniel, who appeared to be sleeping or unconscious. The next day, she drove Jones to The Compound, where he dropped off two containers. Police verified her presence in the area using the FLOCK surveillance system.
When detectives executed a search warrant at Jones’ home, they found blood stains and kitchen knives that matched a knife discovered inside one of the suitcases. Jones refused to speak with officers about the discoveries. When Channel 9 visited Jones’ home during earlier reporting, a woman at the residence responded only with: “You can call my attorney.”
The Compound is a sprawling, 12.2-square-mile undeveloped area in southwest Palm Bay that has been the site of several grim discoveries over the years. An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of Daniel’s death. It is not yet clear if all of his remains have been recovered.
Jones remains held at the Brevard County Jail without bond on the murder charge. Channel 9 Eyewitness News will continue to follow this story and bring you updates as they develop.
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