A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly dumped his missing mother’s body into a river, which was weighted down with chains and cinder blocks.
Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office went to a home in North Fort Myer’s to take a missing person’s report from Joshua Cullen on May 25, according to Fox 35. At the time, Cullen claimed that he hadn’t seen his mother since March.
Cullen claimed to investigators that his mother suffered a stroke, was hospitalized or possibly left with an unidentified wealthy man.
Police then launched an investigation into her disappearance and learned that Cullen had been accessing her financial accounts and purchased an RV with her money. Additionally, investigators discovered that the mother’s personal belongings, such as her bed and other furniture, were missing from her home.
As the investigation continued, Lee County authorities learned that the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office discovered human remains near the Peace River on March 29.
“A group of boaters saw something large submerged in the water. We responded, and located a woman wrapped in carpet, bound tightly and weighed down by cinder blocks and chains,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said about finding the body, per the outlet.
The Charlotte County Medical Examiner ultimately identified the remains as Cullen’s missing mother on Wednesday, June 3.
Detectives were able to connect Cullen to the site where his mother’s body was found by using license plate reader technology and other investigative techniques.
According to detectives, Cullen’s vehicle was captured on March 28 traveling toward Hunters Creek with a wheelbarrow secured to the roof. Detectives were able to determine that it was the same wheelbarrow that was located nearby when his mother’s body was discovered in the river.
“We believe the woman died inside the home, and Cullen continued living alongside her deceased body,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said, according to the outlet. “This sorry excuse for a man left this woman exposed, discarded, and alone while he selfishly carried on with his life.”
After he was linked to the crime, Cullen was charged with neglect of an elderly person and abuse of a dead human body.
Officials have not shared Cullen’s mother’s exact cause or date of death, and it is not known if authorities believe he had a motive for killing her.
It is not currently clear if Cullen has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Us Weekly that they have no additional updates to share as of time of publication.
If you are experiencing elder abuse or suspect someone you know is, you can call the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 and speak to a specially trained operator who can refer you to a local agency that can help. The Eldercare Locator accepts calls Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
