New information led state agents to discover a Florida man's body 17 years after he was reported missing.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials say they are investigating Michael "Mike" William's death as a homicide.
Williams, a 31-year-old real estate appraiser, was reported missing after a hunting trip on Lake Seminole on Dec. 16, 2000.
Williams left Tallahassee to spend the morning duck hunting near the Georgia state line, and never returned.
His death was initially ruled an accidental drowning but his body was never recovered. FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee began investigating in 2004.
Who killed Mike Williams, #Florida man reported missing after a hunting trip in Dec. 2000? His body was found 17 years later -- not long after his friend was sentenced for kidnapping William's widow at gunpoint https://t.co/7joqO91q6b pic.twitter.com/MQlw3hmmc6
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) December 20, 2017
Agents said a body was recently recovered after agents received new information in the case.
A DNA analysis confirmed the body was that of Williams.
The revelations come one day after Williams' friend, Brian Winchester, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for kidnapping his estranged wife, Denise Winchester, at gunpoint in 2016, WCTV reports.
Denise Winchester is Mike Williams' widow.
“Seventeen years did not hide how Mike Williams died and our focus has shifted from a missing person case to a homicide investigation," Perez said. "We will continue to work this case until those responsible for his death are brought to justice."
FDLE officials said investigators are not providing details about Williams' cause of death because they are pursuing leads in the case.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact FDLE Tallahassee at 800-342-0820.
FDLE is holding a press conference to provide an update on the case of Mike Williams. bit.ly/2CMiDPZ
Posted by WCTV.tv on Wednesday, December 20, 2017
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