GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Officials are searching Thursday for the body a missing woman in the Gainesville area.
Police said Thursday they believe Hannah Brim, 23, is dead based on forensic evidence. Detectives are searching specific areas of Alachua County where Brim's body may be located.
Armas has a history of domestic battery, according to GPD. He was the Alachua County Jail on a domestic battery charge unrelated to the disappearance of Brim, GPD said.
The Gainesville Police Department is searching for Brim's remains. Brim was last seen on Jan. 19 with Nelson Armas, 28. Her family reported her missing on Jan. 23.
The GPD says it’s possible that she was pregnant.
Brim's family believes she was advertising for sex on Backpage.com, and that she might've got in trouble. However, officials were not able to locate the ad on the website.
Officials found drug paraphernalia including straw, a small plastic baggie, pieces of cigarette butts and two plastic containers during the search of Brim's room at the Florida Motel. The officials said the small baggie field-tested positive for cocaine.
Officials are searching in the area of the intersection of SR-26 and SR-301 in Orange Heights.
The officials are investigating in the area after evidence was found. Officials also said the person of interest, Armas, lives near the search area.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Correction and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are assisting with the investigation.
Officials said they are not accepting outside private or civilian volunteers.
Anyone who have additional information or remember seeing anything unusual or suspicious in the area of Orange Heights from Jan. 19 through Feb. 2 to contact ACSO or GPD at 352-955-1818. You can also text keyword GPDFL plus a tip to 274637 to provide anonymous information.