Florida Mom & 4 Kids Who Vanished 6 Weeks Ago All Found Dead; Husband Arrested

Police said they believe Michael Jones Jr. killed the victims and stored their bodies in his home and van for “several weeks.”

September 16, 2019

Photo by: Casei Jones; Cameron Bowers, Preston Bowers, Mercalli Jones, Aiyana Jones [Marion County Sheriff's Office]

Casei Jones; Cameron Bowers, Preston Bowers, Mercalli Jones, Aiyana Jones [Marion County Sheriff's Office]

By: Mike McPadden

The search for a missing Florida mom and her four children ended with the discovery of their bodies in Georgia and the issuance of a warrant accusing her husband of second-degree murder, according to police.

Casei Jones, 32, and her four children — Cameron Bowers, 10; Preston Bowers, 5; Mercalli Jones, 2; and Aiyana Jones, 1 — were reported missing on September 14. Concerned relatives allegedly told police they hadn't seen or heard from Casei or the kids since early August, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

It is not yet clear why the family took six weeks to report Casei and the kids missing.

At a press conference on September 16, the Marion County Sheriff's Office announced Michael Jones Jr., 38, is suspected of killing his wife, Casei Jones, 32.

Police said they are still working with prosecutors on possible charges in the slaying of the children — Cameron Bowers, 10; Preston Bowers, 5; Mercalli Jones, 2; and Aiyana Jones, 1. Authorities alleged Michael Jones is the biological father of two of the children.

"Unfortunately," Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods told reporters, "true evil poked its head up here in Marion County. That's about the only best way to describe it."

According to Jacksonville's WJAX-TV, Michael Jones crashed his van in Brantley County, Georgia, on Sunday and told responders, "You may want to put me in handcuffs because there is a dead body inside the vehicle." The body was allegedly that of Casei Jones.

After questioning, Michael Jones allegedly provided officers with the location of the children's remains in a wooded area in nearby Charlton County.

The family's home in Summerfield, Florida, is reportedly located about 150 miles away from where deputies discovered the remains. On Facebook, the sheriff's office wrote, "Detectives believe [Michael Jones] stored the bodies at his home and in his van for several weeks before transporting them to Brantley County, Georgia."

The New York Times reported autopsies on all five victims would commence on Wednesday.

Regarding Michael Jones, Sheriff Woods stated in the press conference, "As far as I'm concerned, as the sheriff of this county, underneath the jail ain't good enough. He has no right to walk the face of this earth."