Manatee County detectives have identified the body of a man who was found beaten to death in a wooded area near Bradenton on Wednesday. Hollant Adrien is the victim according deputies, but they said it took a few days to locate his family.
"He didn't have any family down here so that's why we had a really hard time," said Manatee sheriff's spokesperson Dave Bristow.
Investigators arrested 20-year-old Barry Baer in connection with the incident on Friday.
Investigators said the two were acquaintances and Baer told detectives he stabbed and beat Adrien after Adrien made sexual advances toward him.
Investigators said Baer left Adrien's body in a wooded area near an industrial complex off 21st E. Baer was captured after investigators said they spotted him driving Adrien's car. Baer and his passenger, Alexander Turner, were found in the car.
"We are making very good progress on the case so far," said Bristow.
Adrien has been in the spotlight before. He was fired from his job at Wittenberg University in Ohio after three males accused him of sexual assault in 2012. Adrien was arrested, but never convicted of the crimes.
Baer was taken to the Manatee County Jail, where he was booked into jail and denied bond.
