FELLSMERE, Fla. -- The identity of the body recovered from the backyard of a home in Fellsmere last week has been released.
An autopsy positively identified the body as that of missing Brandon Gilley, a Sebastian man missing since April 2018.
His death is now officially being investigated as a homicide.
Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, "Since his disappearance, our detectives have worked to find out what happened to Brandon. Now that we have located the body of Mr. Gilley, our efforts are focused on bringing his killers to justice, which will ultimately bring closure to his family. Detectives are conducting interviews with witnesses and suspects as our efforts are now dedicated to making an arrest."
Gilley's remains were found buried in the backyard of a home in the 12900 block of 100th Ln. during the execution of a search warrant.
Detectives said they were aware that the residents of the home had previously supplied drugs to Gilley.
Heriberto Gamez, 31, and Selena Rodriguez, 23 were both arrested in the case.
During the search, investigators said cadaver dogs alerted them to an area in the backyard of the home. Detectives probed the ground where the dogs alerted them, prompting them to begin digging.
After several hours, detectives uncovered the skeletal remains of a human about 3 feet below the ground.
Gamez remains at the Indian River County Jail on his outstanding warrant from Brevard County. Rodriguez posted $1,000 bond and was released.