(AP) — Authorities in Mississippi identified a body found weighted down in a pond as a man who has been missing for months.
DeMarquis KeiMondre’ Houston, 19, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, was identified Thursday by the Mississippi Crime Laboratory, the Neshoba Democrat reported.
Houston’s body was found “weighted and anchored in about four to five feet of water,” Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark said. Officials had drained a pond in the Hope community before recovering the body about two weeks ago.
Houston’s mother had reported her son missing on Oct. 24. She said he hadn’t been seen since getting ready to leave with a female Oct. 20.
Nine people have been charged in connection to the death.
James Kelly, 23, and Tyrone Braxton, 22, were both charged with kidnapping and capital murder. Each have been denied bond, Clark told the newspaper.
Seven others faced other charges such as conspiracy and hindering prosecution, news outlets reported.