The body of a man who was shot and stabbed multiple times, then dumped in a water pit in Polk County, has been found.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies located 36-year-old Curtis P. Chancey’s body on Wednesday, after he was reported missing by his brother on January 26, 2011.
Investigators say, Chancey was murdered by 35-year-old Mike Hinson of Mulberry during an argument that occurred on the Bulger Nursery property. Chancey was a frequent visitor at the Nursery because of his friendship with Mike Bulger, Jr., the manager of the business, cops say.
According to detectives, Hinson dumped Chancey’s body in a water pit north of the Nursery.
Chancey was last seen at Bulger’s Nursery in Mulberry on January 14, around 5:00 p.m., investigators said. Family members had advised PCSO detectives that Chancey routinely contacted his teenage son but had not had any contact with any family member since January 14th.
An extensive searh of the Bulger Nursery property on January 28, 29, and 30, for Chancy’s body turned up nothing. Following up on tips and rumors, detectives again returned to the Bulger Nursery property on February 12 and 13, using 9 law enforcement dog handlers and 13 cadaver dogs, but no body was found. Detectives expanded their search on Wednesday, February 16, to surrounding property. Chancey’s body was found in a state of advanced decomposition in a water pit north of the Bulger Nursery property.
Hinson was taken into custody and is expected to be charged with the murder of Chancey. Deputies had earlier arrested Hinson on January 20, for DUI and carrying a concealed firearm. After bonding out of jail, Hinson was again arrested on January 29, when he was caught trespassing on private property.
