MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. – The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has brought charges against a father and son, Richard Elijah Neely, 54, and Dustin Wayne Neely, 16, for the murder of 40-year-old Leodere Verdisca.
Deputies say Verdisca’s body was discovered in a pond several weeks after his death, prompting a complex investigation that spanned weeks and even led detectives out of state.
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The investigation revealed that Verdisca, an acquaintance of the Neelys, owed Richard Neely money.
This debt tragically escalated into violence, with Richard Neely fatally stabbing Verdisca.
Dustin Neely then assisted his father in disposing of the body in a pond, where it remained undiscovered for weeks. Verdisca’s identity was eventually confirmed through distinctive tattoos and DNA evidence.
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Richard Neely has been charged with murder, while his son Dustin faces charges of accessory after the fact. Both are currently in custody at Martin County Jail.
Despite the challenges of the case, detectives remained committed to finding answers, ultimately bringing some closure to Verdisca’s grieving family.
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