Grandfather's death deemed suspicious after body found in Marion County subdivision

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OCALA, Fla. — Marion County deputies identified a man whose remains were found Saturday afternoon and are investigating his death as suspicious.

The remains of 63-year-old Melvin Thompkins were found around 2 p.m. Saturday in the Ocala Ridge subdivision along the 5300 block of Northwest 17th Street, deputies said.

Officials did not say why they believe Thompkins' death to be suspicious.

Deputies said Thompkins was a father, a grandfather, and no stranger to law enforcement. Court documents show Thompkins was arrested during a drug raid in 2015 and served time in prison for drug possession. He was released in 2016.

Major Crimes detectives are continuing their investigation.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Travis O’Cull at 352-369-6805 or call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 353-368-STOP.

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