December 1 - 11:40 a.m. update
Two people have been arrested as suspects in the murder of Jacob Sutton-Bubeck, whose body was found buried in a Modesto backyard on November 24.
Authorities say that Robert Wiswell, 53 of Modesto, and Rebecca Garcia, 44 of Modesto, were located in the area of Reliance Street and East Glenn Avenue on November 30 around 8 p.m. and were booked at the Public Safety Center for murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Detectives were aided by leads coming through CrimeStoppers that helped them identify the suspects.
“As soon as the body was found, we started getting several tips from CrimeStoppers that helped to not only identify Sutton-Bubeck as the victim, but to also identify Wiswell and Garcia as suspects,” said lead Detective Cory Brown. “We were also able to recover evidence and corroborate tips that eliminated other suspects and led me to believe that Wiswell and Garcia committed this crime.”
Several people reached out to provide detectives with information after detective Brown asked former residents of the home to reach out to him for statements. Their information helped detectives confirm that Sutton-Bubeck went missing while Wiswell and Garcia were living in a shed in the home's backyard.
Sutton-Bubeck's body was found where the shed was previously located, which had been taken down after they moved from the area. Sutton-Bubeck's body was found on November 24 when a resident came upon it while they were burying a family pet.
Authorities are not releasing specific information on the manner of death or evidence that was found; they hope that additional witnesses can step forward with information now that the suspects are in custody and evidence can be corroborated from the crime scene.
Those with any information on this case can contact detective Cory Brown at 209-567-4485.
Nov. 28 - 3:15 p.m. update
Following an autopsy, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department says this incident was a homicide and the victim is a male adult.
Officials say the remains were buried in the backyard for months.
The investigation is ongoing.
Original Story on Nov. 25
MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a man who was burying a pet in the backyard of the home he rents in Modesto discovered human remains.
Stanislaus County Sheriff Department says the man found the remains Sunday and called authorities.
Department spokesman Sgt. Tom Letras tells the Modesto Bee deputies worked throughout the evening to exhume the decomposing body.
He says detectives have not identified the victim, who appears to be an adult. He says an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.
Letras says that based on decomposition, the body likely had been buried for months, not years.
A renter at the home since November 2017 told the newspaper he knows nothing about the remains.
At this point in the investigation, detectives have not yet been able to identify the victim. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.