Lee County man, 44, charged with murder after remains found in hidden grave

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Lee County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in connection with a homicide after skeletal remains were found buried behind a local government building.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) Major Crimes Unit arrested 44-year-old Gabriel Carlo Leon-Torres in connection with the death of a man whose remains were discovered in March in a hidden grave behind the Lee County Elections Center in Fort Myers.

A medical examiner determined the death was a homicide.

Leon-Torres faces charges of second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.

He also has a prior arrest history that includes charges for kidnapping, sexual battery and narcotics-related offenses.

The investigation started after LCSO received a tip about a missing person, which eventually led detectives to the buried remains, later positively identified as the missing man.

"An arrest is a critical step but this case is far from over. I want to recognize the Major Crimes Unit investigators who have worked relentlessly to uncover the truth, follow every lead and build this case piece by piece. Their persistence, professionalism and commitment to justice have been unwavering. We will not stop until every question is answered and the victim and his family receive the justice they deserve," said Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

The LCSO noted that the Lee County Elections Center has no involvement in this investigation.

The investigation remains active as detectives continue to follow leads, process evidence and work with the State Attorney's Office.