Makia Coney: Family Fears Body Found in Jacksonville is Missing 17-Year-Old
Photo: Makia Coney.
Makia was last seen around 3:15 pm after leaving the campus of University Christian School, in Jacksonville, Fla., where she is a student.
About three hours later a person on a bicycle reported seeing a badly beaten body on the side of a road about three miles from the school.
Photo: Makia Coney.
Police have not yet confirmed the identity of the body but CBS affiliate WKMG reports that Makia's family believes it's her.
Speaking for the family, City Councilman Johnny Gaffney told the station, "the family definitely knows it is the body," Gaffney said. "It is the young lady -- very sweet lady -- and the mother, the father, they are terribly upset."
University Christian released a statement Thursday morning saying they are working closely with the sheriff's office on the search for Makia.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Lt. Larry Schmitt said there was obvious trauma to the body, but would not provide any details, including whether the victim was male or female.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's office at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.