Body of missing Jensen Beach Woman found in septic tank, handyman suspected

Jeff Jones

JENSEN BEACH, FL – A woman who was reported missing has been found, her body dumped into a septic tank at her Jensen Beach Home.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, “Late Friday evening and into Saturday morning, Martin County Sheriff’s Detectives located a body believed to be that of 57-year old Cynthia Cole inside the septic tank of her Jensen Beach home.”

In order to recover her body, detectives spent hours excavating Cole’s backyard and located the body submerged in the contents of the tank about four feet underground.


“Shortly afterward, detectives located and arrested 34-year old Keoki Hilo Demich and charged him with second-degree murder. Keoki performed handyman duties for Ms. Cole,” the office said in a statement today.

“There are elements to this case still being investigated. Positive identification of the body by the medical examiner’s office is expected shortly, however, detectives have every reason to believe it is that of Ms. Cole,” said Sheriff William D. Snyder.

“I’ve been doing this 40 plus years. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told WPBF News. “He made several statements that we know are false so he was charged with second-degree murder.”

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