Highlands Sheriff's Office Now Heading Up Homicide Investigation

The investigation into the discovery of a body found in Hardee County is now being headed by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

"We have taken the lead on the homicide investigation," confirmed Capt. Randy LaBelle on Tuesday. "We are the lead agency and they (Hardee County Sheriff's Office) are assisting us."

In addition to the two sheriff's agencies, the state fire marshal's office is also working the investigation, according to LaBelle. Originally, Hardee County was the lead agency in the case.

The investigation stems from Hardee County Sheriff's deputies discovering an unidentified body inside a burned vehicle on Nov. 29. The car was found on Old Town Creek Road, near the Highlands County line.

"They have still not identified the victim," said Major Claude Harris, with the Hardee County Sheriff's Office, on Tuesday.

He added that the medical examiner's office is still trying to obtain records to help with the ID.

Harris previously said the case's connection to Highlands County was a local address listed on the vehicle's registration.

On the Dec. 1 Highlands County Sheriff's Office Incident By Location Report, there was a local address listed alongside the homicide offense, although there was no indication of what the connection could be.

The local connection has apparently grown over the course of the investigation, thus Highlands County taking the lead. LaBelle, however, did not want to discuss anything further about the ongoing case.

"It's just too sensitive at this point," he said.