MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies said skeletal remains were found in Manatee County that they believe are a man who went missing in 2024.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office said the remains were discovered on Thursday in a secluded area of the eastern part of the county. While they have not confirmed it through DNA analysis just yet, they believe they belong to 87-year-old Paul Sargent, who went missing with his dog on Dec. 10, 2024.
The remains of a small dog were also found just a few feet away.
Multiple search teams joined deputies as they followed leads and scoured acres of land since a car was discovered in a remote area of a farm last Friday.
This is still an ongoing investigation. A medical examiner will confirm the identity of the human remains through DNA analysis.
Pasco County woman trying to rebuild mobile home after hurricanes
"I cried, of course, because I've worked very hard getting it nice, which has been difficult for me since I lost my husband and being alone,” Kelly Welty said.
Welty's mobile home lost its roof during Hurricane Milton. She said it was the only one in the Buena Vista community to get totaled by a tornado.
