By KJ MUSHUNG
STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reports that over the weekend of March 23, they recovered what are believed to be human remains of one person. The remains were located on the property of 881 Belle Plains Road in the White Oak area of Stafford County, which has been seen swarmed by police activity in recent days.
A resident of that property, Dennis Paul Benzie, was arrested earlier this month for drug and gun-related charges. Stafford County courts system lists 12 charges so far. Law enforcement officials have not said whether Benzie is a suspect in the death of the person’s whose body was recovered or whether that person appeared to have died from gunshot wounds.
The remains were taken to the chief medical examiner’s office in Richmond for an autopsy, identification and cause of death, according to a press release.
The release also said that an extensive search of the property was conducted after police received and followed up on information, which led to the recovery.
The sheriff’s office has information to the identity of the individual found but will not be releasing it until a positive identification is determined and next of kin is notified.
According to police, the remains appear to have been there for some time, although a time frame wasn’t clarified, and the gender of the individual is currently unknown.
The sheriff’s office is treating this case as a homicide. No charges have been filed, however detectives are following up on leads.
A gate at the entrance was locked with a “No trespassing” sign.
Calls to the sheriff’s office were not returned by post time.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Stafford Sheriff Office 540-658-4400 or call Crime Solvers at 540-659-2020 or text “Stafford + your tip” to CRIMES (274637).
