‘Sick and deliberate’: Caroline officials say suspect(s) attempted to conceal identity of homicide victim

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- After a Caroline County property owner discovered a dead body on their land on Friday, with the case being investigated as a homicide, officials have shared that the suspect or suspects attempted to conceal the victim's identity.

On Monday, March 30, the Caroline County Sheriff's Office announced on social media that investigators have been working "around the clock" to continue investigating after a property owner discovered a man's body on their property on Friday, March 27.

The sheriff's office said that the body has been difficult to identify due to the suspect or suspects' attempts to conceal the identity of the person whose body was found.

"Due to the efforts taken by the person(s) responsible for this crime to conceal the individual's identity, the identification process in this case is complex and requires careful, methodical work in coordination with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner," the social media post said.

Officials continue to investigate the incident as a homicide, and based on available information, as of reporting, the sheriff's office believes the incident was not random.

The sheriff's office said investigators have made "significant progress" in the investigation, but the identity of the person whose body was found has not yet been positively confirmed.

Officials said investigators continue to follow up on leads and are coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies.

"This is one of the more disturbing cases our office has encountered," the social media post said. "The sick and deliberate efforts taken to conceal the victim's identity have made this investigation more complex, but our investigators have remained focused and determined. We are making progress, and we will continue to pursue every lead until we identify this individual and bring those responsible to justice."

The update in the investigation comes after deputies with the sheriff’s office were sent to the area of Bagby and Mt. Cloud roads on Friday after a caller reported finding what they believed to be a body on their property.

When deputies arrived, they confirmed that the caller had indeed found a deceased person — an unidentified man — and immediately began to collect forensic evidence.

Anyone with information about the alleged homicide is asked to contact the Caroline County Sheriff's Office at 804-633-5400.