AN alleged drug dealer is being charged with abusing a corpse after mistakenly providing cops with crucial evidence that led to his arrest, reports say.
William Redden, 51,provided police with home surveillance footage that showed him dragging the body of a 38-year-old mother of two – the day after she was seen entering his house.
He allegedly wrapped Stephanie Shenefield's lifeless body in a sheet before dragging her into his car and disposing of her in a ditch, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said.
Shenefield took an Uber to Redden's house after 1am local time on June 3.
Investigators in Florida believe that Shenefield died at some point during the night and Redden disposed of the body rather than calling authorities.
Redden is an eight-time convicted felon and alleged drug dealer, WTSP reported.
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He told officials that she stayed the night at his house and left the following morning.
When police asked if they could check footage from surveillance cameras outside, Redden complied saying that the cameras only monitor the exterior of his house, the sheriff's office said.
"He tells them they do not record inside the residence. He was wrong," said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells.
By watching the footage, officials were able to determine that Shenefield died in the house.
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"William Redden does nothing about it. He doesn't call 911, he doesn't call authorities, he doesn't call anyone," Wells said.
The next afternoon, Redden was seen dragging the lifeless body through the house.
Officials returned to Redden's home after viewing the footage, and he refused to talk.
The sheriff's office received a call of a body found in a ditch while they were searching for Shenefield.
Two people walking in a field near railroad tracks stumbled upon her body which was buried in a shallow grave, Wells said.
GRIM DISCOVERY
"Stephanie's body was badly decomposed. It took us a while to be able to identify her," Wells said.
"But we have positively identified her. We are deeply sorry for her loss."
The cause of death is currently unknown.
Redden is now facing charges of abuse of a corpse, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of an altered firearm, Wells said.
The sheriff said he expects additional charges to be brought against the eight-time felon throughout the investigation.
"We will continue to investigate this, but we want you to know that our hearts break for the family of Stephanie," Wells said.
Redden is currently being held on a $108,000 bond.
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