Family Believes Body Found is Missing Man

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA – The family of a missing special needs man fears he is dead after police found a decomposing body locked in a derelict vehicle on Saturday.

Jared Higgs speaks with the man’s relatives.

On Saturday, police were called to the discovery of a lifeless body in a derelict vehicle in North Bahamia. Responding officers found both doors locked and summoned fire services to open the doors using the jaws of life.

A severely decomposed body was found in the front passenger seat.

The discovery was made less than five minutes walking distance from where missing man, 19-year-old Justin Stuart, lived with his family.

Stuart was reported missing in Grand Bahama on July 2nd. Police Press Liaison Officer on Grand Bahama Assistant Superintendent, Stephen Rolle says due to the severity of decomposition, attempts will be made to identify the body through fingerprints.

Stuart’s mother, 58-year-old Dedre Pratt, last saw her son outside their home the day he went missing after making him a cup of hot chocolate.

She described the 19-year-old as very friendly and said she often warned him about speaking with strangers.

Our News spoke to Stuart’s mother over the phone. She described the 19-year-old as full of life, and a child at heart. She says he liked to listen to music in their family vehicle, but she doesn’t believe he locked himself in the derelict vehicle.

The Pratt family are waiting for official word on whether the body found is in fact Stuart. His mother regretting that they didn’t stick to their ritual the last time they spoke.