Authorities are investigating after they discovered Benny Clyde Hallmark‘s badly decomposed body propped up in a reclining chair that was hidden from view in the backyard of an Orlando residence, according to the Orlando Police Department.
A police press release said, Florida man, Jimmy Merritt, 37, was identified as a suspect in Hallmark’s death because he had “stolen the victim’s checks and attempted to cash them.”
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The Orlando Fire Department was called to a home at 3103 Lauressa Lane around 11:15 a.m. Friday and found Benny Clyde Hallmark, 64, dead in a reclining chair. Police said his death was a homicide by firearm. Detectives investigating the death learned on Tuesday that Merritt had told a witness that he had buried a body in the backyard of a home at 3008 Lauressa Lane, according to authorities. Police said they were waiting to execute a search warrant at that home when Merritt approached and was arrested. source
When the search warrant was executed, a badly decomposed body was found wrapped in plastic and blankets under a large pile of wood and other items from the garage, according to a news release.
The victim has not been identified and a cause of death has not been determined.
Merritt is charged with first-degree murder with a firearm, grand theft, scheme to defraud and uttering a forged check. Police said more charged are pending upon completion of the medical examiner’s report on the decomposed body.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends at this difficult time.