ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Bones may help solve a 2-year-old mystery in Orange County in the search for two missing people. Crews may have found more than bones in an Apopka lake, and only WFTV has learned there may now be a second person of interest in the case.
Both Chris George and Tracy Ocasio have been missing for two years, and crews are searching through the marsh at Lake Carter (see map) for their bones.
Until now, jail inmate James Hataway was the only suspect in the case. Wednesday, WFTV learned they are also looking at another man who was with James Hataway and George at the site.
SEARCH IMAGES: Search On 2/23 | Search On 2/22 02/23 INTERVIEWS: Ocasio's Mom | George's Mom | Apopka Police STORY ARCHIVE: Previous "James Hataway" Stories
Of course, their main focus right now is digging up more evidence. Crime scene investigators have been driving in and out of the area all day Wednesday, scouring the lake for bones.
As water pumped out, bones become more visible Wednesday. From Skywitness 9 HD, WFTV spotted what appears to be a human skull just below the surface. Later in the day, investigators pulled out what look like leg bones.
"I am unable to elaborate on the type or size of bone, or number of bones," Apopka Police Officer Steve Popp said Wednesday.
Investigators are working in a grid pattern; the site almost looks like an archeological dig.
It's the same site Chris George was last seen alive in 2009 with James Hataway. Hataway is also the prime suspect in the disappearance of Tracy Ocasio. Their mothers met Wednesday at the search site.
"We've never been this close before. I mean, now we are actually finding bones," Liz Ocasio said (watch interview).
Person of Interest Tyler Watters - hataway cases Tyler Watters Tyler Watters WFTV has learned investigators are also looking at Tyler Watters as a person of interest in Chris George's disappearance. He's a young man with a criminal history that includes an arrest for drug trafficking. He was also at the site with George and Hataway, but has recently refused to talk to investigators.
"I still want what is happening to be investigated well," Rachael George, Chris' mother, said (watch interview).
A crime website quoting an unnamed investigator also claims a cell phone was found during the search that is the same kind Chris George last had in his possession, but at this point investigators say they don't want to talk about that; nor will they talk about the skull.
"Why wouldn't that be something you would want to reveal?" WFTV reporter Jeff Deal asked investigators regarding the skull.
"It's just too early on," Capt. Jerome Miller said.
The medical examiner will determine cause of death, and then the bones will be tested for DNA to see if they can match.
WFTV talked to Tyler Watters' attorney late Wednesday afternoon. He said his client hasn't been contacted recently, but would probably be willing to speak to investigators again.
WFTV also talked with the woman who has a young daughter with James Hataway. She did not want to reveal her name, but said Hataway talked to her about Chris George's disappearance shortly after he became a possible suspect in the Ocasio and George disappearances.
The woman told WFTV that Hataway helped George get rid of drugs after he crashed while driving drunk.
"He just told me he got into a car accident and Jimmy said that he was called to go out there and help him remove stuff from the vehicle, and I think he said he went on along his way," she said.
The woman also said Hataway missed his visitation with his daughter, just days after Ocasio disappeared, without giving any explanation.
Although James Hataway is the prime suspect in the disappearances, it's another case that's keeping him locked up. He's charged with attempted murder, accused of choking a Casselberry woman after she gave him a ride home in 2008.
Hataway has been in jail for nearly two years already on that charge. A trial date could be set Thursday when the case goes back to court.
Previous Stories: February 23, 2011: Investigators: Bones Visible In Lake Being Searched February 23, 2011: Crews Drain Lake, Continue Search For Human Remains February 22, 2011: Police: "We Are Dealing With Actual Human Remains" February 21, 2011: Human Bone Found In Search For Missing Man
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