Couple arrested as missing persons investigation uncovers murder of Tamarac man
In a multi- jurisdictional missing persons investigation that evolved into a murder investigation that included law enforcement agencies from Florida to California, the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Homicide Unit detectives, in conjunction with BSO Missing Persons Unit, arrested a couple in connection to the murder of a man who went missing from Tamarac, Florida, in late January.
A missing persons report was issued for 28-year-old Gianni Coto on January 25, after he was reported missing by a family member, according to CBS-12 News in South Florida. Coto was last seen Saturday, January 21, near the 8900 block of Northwest 77th Court in Tamarac.
During the course of their investigation, detectives determined that the missing man had gone to the residence of his estranged wife, Trinity Bownes on January 21. That residence was located in the 8900 block of Northwest 77th Court in Tamarac, according to Local News 10. Investigators said that while he was at her residence, Coto and Bownes became involved in an argument – and at some point Coto was fatally stabbed.
Brandon Jenkins was also at the residence and got involved in the argument. After Coto was killed, deputies said that his remains were buried off State Road 60 in Indian River County.
On January 30, with the assistance of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, BSO detectives located Coto’s body. His remains were transported to the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
On February 1, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the two suspects. Jenkins was taken into custody in Tennessee by the Clarksville Police Department on February 3. One day later, Bownes turned herself into the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office in California.
Both Jenkins and Bownes are expected to be extradited to Broward County to face charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, according to NBC News in Miami.
BSO detectives say that the investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing.
The following law enforcement agencies provided resources and assistance during the investigation and the arrests:
- Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit,
- Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit,
- Clarksville Tennessee Police Department’s Homicide Unit,
- San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office,
- Miami Beach Police Department’s Homicide Unit, and
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
(Source and Trinity Bownes / Brandon Jenkins mugshots: BSO)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook. Twitter & Instagram
