JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Officers were at a Jacksonville home for the second day after the landlord found blood inside but could not find the man who lives there.
It's been more than a day since officers started searching for 58-year-old Jerome Johnson and they suspect foul play in his disappearance.
The search began Saturday after Johnson's landlord went to his W. 22nd Street house to collect a rent payment.
The landlord called police after finding blood in Johnson's bedroom, but there was no sign of Johnson.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jay Farhat said officers found a significant enough amount of blood that it makes them worried about Johnson’s well-being.
Investigators said Johnson has not been heard from since Wednesday.
They collected evidence, including a shovel, from his home.
Action News Jax Crime & Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said evidence like the shovel could play a huge role in the investigation.
“They can try to determine if it’s a new shovel or an old shovel," he said. "If it's a new shovel, they’ll try and trace it back to where it was purchased and view surveillance video to see who actually purchased it. Was it the person that’s missing, or was it someone else?”
Johnson is 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 225 pounds. He may have been wearing light-colored jeans the last time he was seen.
Jefferson said there's no timeline for when Johnson could be found. He said for now police will take their time going through Johnson's home.
“They’re gonna start from the front door and go over the entire home, almost like when you’re closing on a home and doing a walk-through," said Jefferson. "That's exactly what they’re going to do."
Action News Jax spoke with Johnson's landlord. She declined to comment and referred questions to police.