Body Found Buried In Bag At Homeless Camp: Manatee County Sheriff

BRADENTON, FL — A homicide investigation is underway at a Bradenton homeless camp after a body was found buried in a bag there, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Deputies received a tip from someone Friday who claimed to have first-hand knowledge about a homicide that happened at the camp in the 3700 block of 14th Street W. two weeks earlier. They also said they had details about a man believed to have committed the murder.

Detectives found Stephen Astbury Jr., 59, who lives in the camp, and took him into custody on an unrelated charge while investigators gathered more information.

After an in-depth interview with a witness, detectives were led to the spot in the camp where a body was buried, the sheriff’s office said. Detectives dug about a foot into the ground Monday night and found a bag with a body inside.

The victim is believed to be a 64-year-old man who also stayed at the homeless camp. The victim’s name is being withheld pending Marsy’s Law.

Detectives believe Astbury and the victim had a disagreement prior to the kill. Murder charges against Astbury are forthcoming, the sheriff’s office said.