May 19, 2009
Gary Davidson
Public Information Office

SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATING BODY AT LANDFILL

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation Tuesday after a body was discovered at the Tomoka Landfill just west of Daytona Beach. The body was discovered shortly before 2 p.m. by workers sorting through recycling materials coming into the landfill. Because of decomposition, investigators haven’t been able to positively identify the sex of the victim. However, it’s believed to be an adult.

Deputies have been on-scene since 2:03 p.m. Crime scene units are combing the site for clues and making preparations to turn the body over to the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to determine how the victim died. The body was discovered by a crew from Gel Corp., which operates a processing facility for recyclables at the county-owned landfill. The Sheriff’s Office’s Major Case Unit is heading up the investigation.

UPDATE: 5:00 p.m.

Sheriff’s investigators have confirmed that the body is an adult male. The autopsy is scheduled to be conducted on Wednesday.

UPDATE: 05/20/09

The victim died of natural causes, according to the findings of an autopsy conducted Wednesday by the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate in an effort to determine the victim’s identity and how his body ended up at the landfill.

UPDATE: 05/21/09

The victim has been identified as 52-year-old Michael D. Bobo of Holly Hill. Bobo had been reported missing to the Holly Hill Police Department by his roommate on April 29. Investigators haven’t determined how the body ended up at the landfill. The investigation is ongoing.