A man is in custody after a missing person report turned into a homicide investigation in Fort Worth, according to a news release Wednesday from police.
On Dec. 2, Fort Worth police received a missing person report, and the case was assigned to the major case unit, the release said. After reviewing the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, officers said they suspected foul play and assigned the case to homicide detectives.
On Dec. 22, authorities said they found the missing person buried in a shallow grave in Denton County in the woods north of Fort Worth.
“The missing person is now considered the victim of a homicide,” the release said.
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The identity of the victim was not released.
Investigators found the victim left a party with 23-year-old Alexander James Nicholas on Nov. 30. Nicholas provided a statement to detectives, including the location where he claimed he left the victim alive, the release said.
Police said they found evidence that contradicted Nicholas’ statement and arrested him. Police did not say what charge the man was booked on. It was not clear as of Wednesday night if Nicholas was still in custody.
It was also not clear if he has retained an attorney.
“This investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests are possible as further information is developed,” the release said.
Police said Nicholas and the victim share a known acquaintance but the statement did not provide a motive for what led to the slaying..