Reports from news outlets suggest that the human remains discovered during a river cleanup in north Florida after Hurricane Idalia could potentially be linked to a man who went missing from Alabama 28 years ago.
According to a Facebook post from the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office on September 28, salvage crews were in the Steinhatchee River in Dixie County working to clear debris when they unexpectedly uncovered fragments of a vehicle on September 27. They immediately stopped their work and reported the discovery.
According to WCJB, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection started the cleanup process about two weeks ago in the Steinhatchee area canals and Horseshoe Beach. The area was severely affected by category 3 hurricane Idalia. As reported, bones were found during this cleanup process near a boat ramp.
According to Dixie County deputies, while moving a section of dock at the Jena boat ramp, the crew spotted some remnants of a vehicle. The crew was quick to notice the parts during their work.
The sheriff’s office reported that the car contained what appeared to be human remains.
According to the post, the dive teams continued their search in the area for the remainder of the day and the following day until they discovered additional parts of the car and human remains.
According to the sheriff’s office, it appears that the fragments had been submerged in the water for a considerable amount of time. As a result, the authorities lifted the vehicle from the river.
During an investigation in Houston County, Alabama, Sheriff Donald Valenza shared with WTVY that a Chevrolet Cavalier was discovered with a credit card and Sam’s Club membership card belonging to James Aaron Toole. This discovery may provide new leads in the case of Toole, who has been missing for 28 years.
According to a report by WTVY, Toole, who was 72 years old at the time, informed his family that he planned to make a trip to Florida on May 15, 1995, to visit a sick relative.
According to a post from the Alabama Cold Case Advocacy in November 2022, he had to work the night shift at a convenience store that night. However, he left his shift early to visit his granddaughter’s house and have a conversation with his wife. The post also mentions that there is a photo on Facebook showing him with his granddaughter.
According to a report by WTVY, he set out from his birthplace of Pansey, Alabama in a Chevrolet Cavalier with the intention of reaching Florida. However, his family informed the news outlet that he never made it to his destination.
Located approximately 180 miles southeast of Pansey, Alabama, lies the beautiful Steinhatchee River.
According to a Facebook page dedicated to updates on his case, James Aaron Toole’s wallet was discovered at a gas station in Bainbridge, Georgia in 2020. However, no significant leads have been uncovered thus far.
Toole’s case gained attention in June when it was highlighted on a missing persons podcast called “Unforgotten”. The members of the Alabama Cold Case Advocacy group were featured in the podcast.
According to Valenza, WDHN was informed by the local law enforcement about the discovery. Houston County deputies then made their way to Dixie County to lend their support in the investigation.
According to reports, Houston County has sent DNA samples from the remains to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to confirm the identity. However, the family of Toole has already been informed about the progress.
McClatchy News has contacted both the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office and the Houston County Sheriff’s Office to gather further details.
Located approximately 160 miles to the northwest of Tampa, Dixie County is a charming and serene destination.
After going for a walk in 1991, a man never returned and his disappearance remained a mystery for decades. However, recent reports confirm that his remains have finally been identified. The man’s family can now have some closure after years of uncertainty and wondering what had happened to their loved one. It is a tragic reminder that sometimes, even the simplest things like going for a walk, can have unforeseeable consequences.
According to Texas police, a tragic incident occurred where a 5-year-old child went missing and was later found dead in a pond. The child reportedly left home through a window and was discovered in the nearby pond. This is truly a heart-wrenching event and our thoughts go out to the family during this difficult time.
The family of a 21-year-old mother from Texas is desperately searching for her after she vanished from a bar. According to reports, the young woman was seen leaving the bar with a customer and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. Her family is pleading for anyone with information to come forward and help bring their loved one home. It’s a heartbreaking situation, and they’re holding onto hope that she’ll be found safe and sound.
According to the authorities, the body found in the Mississippi River has been identified as the woman who went missing on her birthday cruise.
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