Background: News footage of the property where human remains were found on May 19 (WESH). Inset: Andres Bahamon (Marion County Sheriff”s Office).
A Florida man has been detained by authorities as they investigate his potential involvement in his father’s mysterious disappearance.
Andres Bahamon, 25, is currently held at the Marion County Jail, suspected of being connected to the vanishing of his father, Andres Bahamon-Prada, 43. His father has been missing since May 7, following a visit to his mother in Williston, Florida, and a subsequent trip to the gym.
As reported by the Ocala Star-Banner, court documents reveal that Bahamon-Prada’s mother reached out to her grandson, Bahamon, via text when she could not contact her son. Bahamon responded that he “didn’t know” his father’s whereabouts, cryptically adding that his father was “preventing the flower from blooming.”
Roughly a week later, the grandmother informed authorities that she encountered Bahamon at a store, where he allegedly confessed to having killed his father.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office began their investigation into Bahamon-Prada’s disappearance on May 16, uncovering indications of foul play. Officials have since classified the case as a homicide investigation.
During a search of the residence shared by the father and son, detectives discovered a bullet near the porch and signs of recently disturbed soil in the yard. They ultimately uncovered human remains wrapped in a carpet on the property. At this time, the remains have not been positively identified by police.
Police said in the court documents that Bahamon made several statements in which he allegedly confessed to killing his father. In addition to the statements he made to his grandmother, police said Bahamon texted his mother, who lives in Germany, and sent her what appeared to be a photo of his father’s dead body. Bahamon’s mother sent the photo to the grandmother, imploring the older woman to call 911, telling her, “Andres just sent me this picture and warned me not to get in his way!!!!”
According to court documents, the grandmother begged Bahamon to tell her if her son was dead or alive. He allegedly told her, “I think he’s dead,” adding that “he was in hell where he deserves to be.”
Sheriff’s deputies found Bahamon and took him in to interview him. He reportedly did not cooperate with police.
Bahamon was charged with tampering with evidence in connection with his father’s missing person case and is being held at the Marion County Jail without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 23.
