VERO BEACH — More than two months after Jesse Ellis was accused of fatally shooting his wife and her co-worker near the Indian River County Main Library — his body has been found.
An autopsy performed May 28 on a decomposed body found a day earlier on the barrier island in Vero Beach helped confirm his identity, Police Chief David Currey said at a May 28 news conference at the Vero Beach Police Department.
Because of the advanced state of decomposition, a medical examiner couldn’t definitively determine Ellis’ cause and manner of death.
“However, evidence located at the scene is consistent with an apparent hanging,” Currey said, noting a belt with Ellis’ initials “J.B.E.” was found affixed to a tree.
Currey said dental records were used in identifying Ellis. He said investigators got X-rays from a local dentist that Ellis went to earlier in the year.
A worker discovered the remains in some bushes about noon May 27 in the 2000 block of Cove Drive, a secluded street, Officer Kelsea Marty, police spokesperson, said in an earlier interview with TCPalm.
Cove Drive runs parallel to State Road A1A between the Alma Lee Loy and Merrill P. Barber bridges.
“Based on the circumstances and evidence observed at the scene, investigators believe Ellis died by suicide shortly after the March 24 homicide incident,” Currey said.
Deadly shootings
Ellis, 64, was accused of fatally shooting his wife, Stacie Mason, 49, and Danny Ooley, 56, both veteran Indian River County employees, on the morning of March 24 as both were in Ooley’s pickup. Ooley also was married.
Investigators recovered a .223-caliber, AR-15 type rifle believed to have been used and about 21 cartridge casings at the scene.
Currey previously said officers found Ellis’ pickup about 12:45 p.m. March 24 at South Beach Park on the barrier island, several hours after the shooting.
In speaking with county employees, he said, officers learned of apparent flirting and that Mason and Ooley had exercised and spent time together.
There was talk of a divorce between Mason and Ellis and of selling the home, Currey said, and Ellis solicited a private investigator.
“He apparently knew she was seeing somebody else,” Currey has said. “I think it seems like he wanted to find out who the person was definitively, and that’s why he hired the P.I..”
After Ellis’ truck was found, Currey said, he thought an officer spoke to rescue personnel and learned Ellis may have been the man rescue crews encountered hours earlier about ¼ to ½ mile in the ocean.
That person told rescue officials he was a deep-water swimmer and didn’t want assistance. Officials believe the man may have returned to shore with the help of some people and walked south.
Investigators provided a photo taken about 11:20 a.m. of a man on a beach just after the individuals assisted the man who may have been Ellis.
“That’s why he certainly could have made it back to his truck right before we located the truck at 12:45 (p.m.),” Currey said.
When officers searched Ellis’ truck, they found wet clothing, an empty holster and a .380-caliber magazine.
“We also located several documents that were indicative of his intention to harm himself or end his life,” Currey said.
‘Would we find him?’
Currey on May 28 said the road where Ellis’ remains were found is not a heavily traveled one.
He said there is a home to be seen to the right and left. But, he said, there is a large amount of trees and undergrowth.
“Without question, this was not out in the open, albeit right off the side of the road edge,” Currey said.
Currey said the case “absolutely” is solved.
Investigators long suspected Ellis had taken his own life.
“Would we find him?” Currey said. “You know, that was the question.”
(This story has been updated with new information, photos and video.)
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
Laurie K. Blandford is a breaking news reporter with TCPalm. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Body found in Florida confirmed as that of accused double murderer
Reporting by Will Greenlee and Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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