Missing Florida girl Naomi Jones, 12, found dead in creek; murder suspected
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 12-year-old Florida girl who had been reported missing has been found dead in a creek several miles from her home after a massive search.
The Pensacola News Journal reports that Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan announced Monday evening that fishermen had found the body of Naomi Jones. She had been reported missing Wednesday.
Morgan says homicide is suspected, but no arrests have been made. Detectives are interviewing two people of interest, but authorities haven't released their names or their relationship to the girl. Authorities have not released the cause of death.
"I want to caution everyone, that can drop to one or that could go to three or four but right now we have defined two people we are extremely interested in," Morgan told reporters.
Morgan said the persons of interest "may be involved in not only the disappearance of Naomi but might quite possibly be involved in her homicide," reports CBS affiliate WKRG.
He said it's possible the girl's killer or killers knew the girl or her family.
Morgan told WKRG the girl last had contact with a friend over Facebook before disappearing. Hundreds of law enforcement officials, members of search groups, residents and even Jones' classmates participated in the hunt for her.
Family members gathered Monday evening at the scene where the girl was found dead, where they cried, yelled out and prayed, reports WKRG.
A $20,000 reward had been offered for information that led to finding her.