Body found believed to be St. Augustine artist

Deputies charged a man with murder and a woman with accessory after the fact in the death of a St. Augustine artist, whose body was found buried on Tuesday.

Deputies said John Branson, 38, led investigators to the body, which is believed to belong to 45-year-old Jordie Randall-Kirkwood Hudson.

Hudson was reported missing on April 14.

Officers determined Branson was the last person seen with Hudson and found a car related to her disappearance.

They seized the car and spoke with the owner, who was not involved in the crime, police said.

Officers then interviewed 29-year-old Christeen Thomas, an associate of Branson's.

Based on information from her, officers got search and arrest warrants for Branson.

He was taken into custody and charged with murder. He cooperated with police and led them to what are believed to be Hudson's remains on C.R. 208.

Thomas was charged as accessory after the fact.

Investigators from St. Augustine Police Department, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, US Marshal’s Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the State’s Attorney’s Office Homicide Investigation Unit assisted in the case.

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