Fla. man charged with murder after woman's body found in woods
PERRY, Fla. -- Florida police have charged Billy Lee Gear, 36, with murder after the body of 23-year-old Melissa Darnell was found in the woods on Wednesday, reports CBS affiliate WCTV.
According to the station, witnesses told police they saw a man dragging a woman into a wooded area near a Wal-Mart in Perry, in the state's eastern Panhandle. Officers found the body of Darnell covered by leaves, limbs and debris.
Gear was seen leaving the area and was detained, reports the station. Evidence left at the scene lead to his arrest. He has now been charged with first degree murder.
Police say Gear and Darnell have a 2-month-old child together and consider the murder an act of domestic violence.
A grand jury will convene on Jan. 21 to hear the case.