‘Jarring Scene’: Police Locate Burning Body In Florida Field First Believed To Be Mannequin

Police are investigating a homicide after a burned body was discovered in a field in Florida, according to authorities.

Around 8 a.m. on April 15, deputies received a 911 call from a person who said they drove past what they thought was a mannequin on fire in a field behind a residential neighborhood in Ruskin, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

First responders arrived to put out the fire, but soon discovered that the burning object was not a mannequin but a human body, officials said.

Authorities said the victim had upper body trauma, but the body was too badly burned to be identified.

Fentress Fountain with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told WFLA, “It is horrific for our deputies to come across a deceased person, and we just want to get justice for this victim’s family, whoever this victim is.”

Investigators are trying to determine what happened, as Fountain said they were working to find out “what time the body got here and who was responsible for this crime, because it’s a pretty gruesome scene,” WFLA reported.

In a press release, Sheriff Chad Chronister called it a “jarring scene” and said, “We do believe this is an isolated incident, and we will continue to work tirelessly until we determine how this horrific crime occurred.”

Police said they are in the early stages of the investigation and their primary goal is to identify the victim.

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

A neighbor who lives down the street from where the body was found told WFLA, “Crazy people. Crazy people everywhere. It’s weird. Don’t know the motives of why you would do that.”

For anyone that might know something, the sheriff’s office is asking you to call (813) 247-8200.