A man was found dead after traveling to meet someone he had just met on a dating app, according to relatives.
The 24-year-old Atlanta resident had gone missing earlier this year after never boarding his bus back home.
His aunt, Monica Tucker, told WXIA that the family had gone looking for the mystery man after her nephew, Nicholas Anderson, never came back.
But once they questioned him, his story seemed implausible, she said.
“First, he said he didn’t see him. Then he said he went to the hotel to watch movies,” Tucker told the outlet.
“And then he says he took them to go get cigarettes, and then he kept saying something about a pier.”
Weeks after his disappearance, a body was found near Jacksonville, Florida.
Last week, police identified the body as Anderson’s.
He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia years earlier, according to Tucker,
“He would never hurt himself, and he knows how to swim. So, there’s no way.
“I think it’s foul play,” Tucker said.
The cause of Anderson’s death is still unknown.
“Once we got the information that it was him, we had to call family members to let them know,” his aunt said.
Clay County Sherriff’s Office have been looking for clues after police cleared the dating app man, according to Tucker.
“CCSO detectives continue their search for details about Mr. Anderson and the events leading to the discovery of his body; specifically, individuals he met, his actions, and locations he frequented from April 1 to April 7, 2025,” stated the police in a release.
“Mr. Anderson’s family has been notified of the positive identification.”
Clay County Sheriff’s Office statement
After the body was confirmed to be Anderson, the police department wrote to Facebook:
“Fleming Island, FL- On May 7, 2025, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding skeletal remains discovered near a bulkhead of a private residence on the St. Johns River in Fleming Island. With the cooperation of the District 4 Medical Examiner’s Office and community assistance, the remains were identified as those of Nicholas Lamont Anderson (24) from Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Anderson’s family has been informed about the positive identification. Although this marks a significant advancement in the investigation, CCSO detectives continue to seek information about Mr. Anderson and the events leading to the discovery of his body; specifically,
the individuals he encountered, his actions, and locations he visited from April 1 to April 7, 2025. Anyone possessing information is urged to submit a tip through the SaferWatch app.
You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $5,000 reward if the information results in an arrest or provides a significant breakthrough in the case. Additionally, you can contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office directly at (904)264-6512.”
Source: Clay County Sheriff’s Office
Police also added that they would give $5,000 to those who submit credible tips that lead to significant advances.
“It broke us. It was hard,” Tucker said.
“It was very hard for us.”
His relative wrote on a GoFundMe that he was “so much more than the tragedy surrounding his passing.”
“His presence left a lasting impact on those who knew and loved him.”
