Authorities say human remains were found outside a New Hope residence on Tuesday and two women are in custody in relation to a homicide.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant confirmed to The Dispatch today the human remains were located in two places near the residence at 155 Windchase Drive. Merchant collected the remains and sent them to the State Crime Lab. By Wednesday at noon, officials in Jackson had confirmed that the remains were indeed human. More remains were located Wednesday, according to Merchant.
It is unknown if the remains belong to a man or woman.
Merchant said the cause of death is unknown at this time but evidence suggests the victim died inside the Windchase Drive home. The body appears to have then been burned inside a container on the property. Merchant declined to say what type of container.
The situation began as a missing person’s case, according to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department.
The residence at 155 Windchase Drive is the home of Manuel Vasquez, a 40-year-old man missing since June 24.
His disappearance was reported to county authorities on July 13. Authorities have not said who reported him missing.
On Tuesday, county investigators, while executing a search warrant connected to the missing person case, discovered the remains in two different places: in a wooded area to the side of the home and along the backyard.
Authorities went back to the home Wednesday. When they arrived, they discovered an unconscious woman. First aid was administered and she was then taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, according to a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department press release.
The release also states that two suspects are in custody “in relation to the disappearance and what investigators believe to be the homicide of Mr. Manual Vasquez.”
Those in custody are Christina Martinez Vasquez, the wife of Manuel Vasquez, and Lydia Martinez, the mother-in-law of Manuel Vasquez.
On Sunday, Christina Martinez Vasquez posted this on her Facebook page, alongside a picture of her and her husband: “My heart aches not knowing where you are. I do believe you will be home soon and in my arms. We love you and miss you.”
The case remains under investigation.
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