Body Found in Cherokee County Identified

NEW SUMMERFIELD — The New Summerfield Police Department received confirmation Friday from the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas that the body discovered July 29 near Reklaw was that of Javier Jimenez. According to KETK, police say Jimenez was positively identified utilizing finger prints on file. The Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as homicide due to gunshot wound. Officials say there is no further information to release at this time and the investigation is continuing with the assistance of several allied agencies.

According to the New Summerfield Police Department, on July 24, officials began a missing person investigation for Jimenez. He was reported missing by his wife the day before. Jimenez left his house for work in Jacksonville at 7:00 a.m., but he never returned home. On July 29, a truck was found abandoned on a piece of land in the Reklaw area. Deputies and police officers responded to the scene and found a body in the bed of the vehicle. Cherokee County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Vera Foreman ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences. On July 30, New Summerfield police officers traveled to Dallas and attended the autopsy. The officers also collected evidence.