Body of man missing since December found

INTERLACHEN, Fla. – Investigators in Putnam County have found the body of a man who had been missing since December.

Jose "Anthony" Cortez, 35, was last seen in the area of Sixth Way in Interlachen at about 10 a.m. Dec. 23.

Deputies said his remains were found Sept. 30 buried in a rural and isolated area near Royal Way, slightly west of Interlachen. The remains were positively identified Wednesday.

Detectives said they have long suspected that Cortez was killed just after his disappearance, and the discovery of his body was made possible from information received from the ongoing investigation.

Detectives said the investigation continues to be conducted as a homicide. They said there are persons of interest in the case, and arrests are anticipated.