BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The 19-year-old man accused of dumping suitcases with human remains in Palm Bay’s “Compound” area has now been indicted for murder.
A Brevard County grand jury indicted Lucas Jones, 19, on one count of first-degree murder, along with charges of abuse of a dead human body, tampering with physical evidence, and improper disposal of a human body.
Investigators say Jones targeted Colie Lee Daniel, 28, after finding him on the registry of local sex offenders. They say he met Daniel through an online dating app, then in March, he allegedly lured Daniel to his home and bludgeoned him to death with a baseball bat.
Investigators say Jones then dismembered Daniel’s body using a cleaver, a saw and a knife, and forced Jones’ girlfriend to help him transport the remains to the Compound, where they were left in suitcases.
Palm Bay police found the suitcases on March 28 when they got a call about vultures circling the area. Police say Amazon packaging in the suitcases led to Jones’ address.
Jones is being held without bond in the Brevard County Jail while he awaits trial.
The case revitalized the debate over what to do with the Compound, which has become infamous in recent years for finding dead bodies.