ORLANDO, Fla. – Human remains found by a real estate agent Saturday who had been showing a Groveland property to some clients was identified Tuesday morning as a 23-year-old woman missing from Orlando, Lake County deputies said.
Deputies said Essence Owens was reported missing to the Orlando Police Department Aug. 15. A family member told police that Owens had been an active prostitute in the area of Orange Blossom Trail and usually kept in touch and came by the family member's home, but the family member had not seen her since the evening of Aug 6., according to the missing person report. The family member also said that she had not been able to reach Owens by cellphone, police said.
The report said that Owens would come by the family member's home with bruises on her face, and because of her prostitution activity, the family member was concerned for Owens' safety, the report said.
Deputies said the real estate agent and clients were looking at the nearly 5-acre property on Douglas Road, north of State Road 50, around 5:50 p.m. when they discovered the set of remains.
A County Property Appraiser's map shows the land is covered by trees, with a retention pond on the property's north end.
Lake County deputies asked anyone with information about who Owens may have been in the company of, or where she may have been prior to her death, to call the Sheriff's Office or Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
No other details were available. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this story.