Man found dead at Lake Jesup Park after couple reported missing, deputies say

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A woman is still missing after her boyfriend’s body was discovered in the woods near Lake Jesup on Saturday.

On Saturday, the body of a man was found in Seminole County after two people were reported missing and endangered by deputies.

Seminole County deputies said the body of 26-year-old Trodarius Rainey was discovered in Lake Jesup Park.

Deputies said Rainey’s death is being investigated as a homicide.

Volunteers and Seminole County sheriff’s deputies have been searching for his girlfriend, 35-year-old Tiffany Church, for the past couple of days, but have still found no sign of her.

According to deputies, the two went missing under suspicious circumstances and were last seen late Wednesday night.

According to deputies, on the morning of Dec. 31, a Toyota Camry bearing Florida tag JKMN34 was located at 1980 Cameron Avenue in Sanford.

Deputies said the previous night, the vehicle had been occupied by Church and Rainey.

A small team of community volunteers spent the Monday searching Church.

“She’s got kids. She’s a mother. She’s a sister. She’s a niece. And she matters. We just need some help in order to find her,” said Church’s friend Mindee Hampton.

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Hampton, who had been friends with Church for more than 15 years said like many others, she is worried.

“Anybody that knew what happened? Please tell us. I mean leave on the tip line. You can call somebody to see if one could just put it on the book,” said Hampton.

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On Monday, deputies were using off-road vehicles to search the same area where Rainey’s body was found.

The Seminole County Sheriff Office said it also used blood hounds, and were in boats searching Lake Jesup on the surface and under-water. K-9 units from Brevard County were also on site Monday aiding in search efforts.

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Deputies have not said what they think happened and right now, they say they are focused on solving the homicide and finding Church.

According to friends, Church’s family has reached out to the search group “Texas Equusearch,” the same group that brought in teams to search for Caylee Anthony.

Anyone with information about the couple are asked to call the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office or Crimeline at 800-423-8477 (TIPS).

Cox Media Group