FLORIDA — Palm Bay police are investigating after human remains were discovered during a missing person investigation, authorities said Thursday.
According to the Palm Bay Police Department, detectives began investigating information related to a missing person case on Feb. 11. Over the next two days, the investigation led officers to two separate locations in the city.
On Thursday, detectives and a SWAT team executed a search warrant at a home on Turk Road. During the search, 51-year-old George Mancilla was found inside the residence and taken into custody. Police said he was arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation. The paraphernalia was located inside the home while officers carried out the warrant.
In a related development, detectives followed up on additional information connected to the same missing person case, which led them to a wooded area on Santo Domingo Avenue. With assistance from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and cadaver dogs, investigators located human remains at the site.
Police said the remains have not yet been identified. The Palm Bay Police Department is working with the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the identity of the victim and the cause of death.
At this time, investigators have not confirmed whether the remains are connected to the missing person investigation. The case remains under investigation.
