Human Remains Believed to be Missing Ormond Girl from 2004

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said they found human remains at an excavation of a suspect burial site they believe to be the remains of Autumn McClure, a 16-year-old Ormond Beach girl who went missing in May 2004. The man they believe to have killed her was identified in 2021, and died while undergoing a medical procedure on May 26, 2022. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood held a press conference on Thursday, February 29, explaining how the remains were found through the grandmother of the suspect.

Sheriff Chitwood said underage Autumn was in a sexual relationship with then 31-year-old Brian. The two were living with his grandmother, Jessica Freeman. The grandmother witnessed Brian choking Autumn and then a few days later saw fresh plywood on the floor. Brian warned the grandmother she too would be dead like Autumn if she said anything or continued asking questions. Late in 2023, Freeman told police where she believed Autumn to be buried. Authorities had to work with the current homeowner while getting the proper search warrants to move forward with an excavation. Sheriff Chitwood said 99.9% of Autumn's body was recovered at the site.