MARION COUNTY, Fla. — When Georgia deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident involving a Marion County man on Sunday, they said the man told them they might as well put him in handcuffs. There was a dead body in the vehicle, he told them.
Brantley County, Georgia, deputies said Michael Wayne Jones Jr.'s wife, Casei Jones, 32, was found dead in the car. Marion County deputies said the bodies believed to be of her four children, ranging in age from 10 to 1, were found in a wooded area nearby more than 100 miles from their Summerfield, Florida home.
Deputies said the family of Casei Jones reported her as missing Saturday after not having seen her in six weeks.
Casei Jones' sister told Channel 9 she knew something was wrong when Casei didn't call her for her birthday or post anything on Facebook about her son's birthday.
Detectives said they believe Michael Wayne Jones Jr. killed the victims at their Southeast 86th Terrace home near Sunset Harbor Road and U.S. 441 in Marion County's Summerfield neighborhood.
Investigators said they believe he stored the bodies at his home and in his van for several weeks before taking them to Georgia.
Investigators said after finding the woman's body in Michael Jones Jr.'s car, he later led them to the remains of four children.
Deputies said the remains have not been positively identified but that they are believed to be those of Casei Jones' four missing children -- Cameron Bowers, 10, Preston Bowers, 5, Mercalli Jones, 2, and Aiyana Jones, 1.
"As a father, as a parent, it breaks my heart. As a sheriff, it angers me to no end," said Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods.
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Deputies said a warrant was issued for Michael Wayne Jones Jr.'s arrest on a charge of second-degree murder and that more charges are forthcoming. Jones Jr. is expected to be brought back to Marion County to face the charges.
Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on this developing story.
Tough, tough news for Casie Jones’ family. Brantley Co (Georgia) deputies told me half an hour ago Michael Jones led them to bodies and they were waiting on a positive ID. @MCSOFlorida says they believe the remains ARE those of the four children. pic.twitter.com/JBlXZbkERq
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) September 16, 2019
RIGHT NOW: MCSO says her husband Michael Wayne Jones Jr. is still being questioned about the kids' whereabouts. He was found with her car by Brantley County, Georgia detectives. They believe Casei was murdered in Marion County though, based on evidence found at the home. pic.twitter.com/IIgkMnG43l
— Deanna Allbrittin (@deannaTVnews) September 16, 2019
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