Accident – Death – Obituary News :
In a chilling discovery that has left residents of Volusia County, Florida, in shock, detectives unearthed human remains on Wednesday at a mobile home park. The remains are believed to belong to Autumn McClure, a teenage girl who went missing two decades ago.
Autumn’s Disappearance
Autumn McClure was reported missing in May 2004 from her grandmother’s home in the Ormond Beach area. Her grandmother initially received phone calls and letters assuring her that Autumn was safe and would return home after turning 18. However, Autumn never reappeared.
The Investigation
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office continued to investigate Autumn’s case long after her disappearance. Detectives discovered that she had been staying with a woman she worked with at a grocery store and the woman’s 31-year-old boyfriend, Brian Christopher Donley Jr. Donley was identified as a suspect in Autumn’s killing.
Breakthrough in the Case
In 2021, new evidence and a tip led investigators to believe that Donley and his girlfriend were responsible for Autumn’s death. The girlfriend was offered immunity by the Florida State Attorney’s Office in 2022. She revealed that she had witnessed Donley killing Autumn in the trailer but had remained silent out of fear.
Excavation Process
Investigators and forensic experts removed the trailer and concrete earlier this week to begin excavation. An estimated 99% of the remains believed to be Autumn’s were recovered from the site. Unfortunately, Donley passed away in 2022 at the age of 49, preventing prosecution in the case.
Sheriff’s Statement
Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed his hopes that Donley realized the gravity of his actions before his death. Despite the tragic end to this story, the closure provided by the discovery of Autumn’s remains brings some solace to her family and loved ones.
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