KEY POINTS
- Bobby Scott was reported missing on Jan. 17
- His car was later found with Michael Harris, who claimed that Scott had loaned him the vehicle
- Bloody fingerprints were later found in the car and they were identified as Harris'
- Harris' body was found on Sunday
A 20-year-old man from Florida was arrested on Saturday evening for murdering a 63-year-old restaurant manager whom he met on an online dating app.
Micheal Harris Jr. murdered Bobby Scott hours after having sex with him. He later disposed of the body, reported New York Daily News. Harris has been charged with second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
According to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, the victim died of blunt force trauma. His body was found in the woods in the 2900 block of Old New York Avenue on Sunday.
Using a dating app cost Scott his life, Chitwood also said. "He did not know who he was contacting. Harris was an internet predator," he added.
Scott was reported missing by his husband on Jan. 17, the same day Harris met him. According to the statement released by Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Scott was never heard from again and his cellphone was found abandoned in DeLand.
Scott's husband said they had been happily married since 2013. They were in an open relationship, so they could date other men outside their marriage. He added that Scott had sent him a message on the same day, telling him that he "may stop at a guy's house too."
Scott's husband said OnStar was tracking Scott's vehicle in the DeLand area. Deputies later found the vehicle with Harris, who claimed that Scott had loaned him the car for a week. However, Scott's husband said his partner never loaned his vehicle to anyone.
When questioned further, Harris confessed to meeting Scott and having sex with him.
"The suspect said the victim asked him to drive to Orlando where the victim met a guy in a BMW and left him the vehicle to use for a week. Harris stuck to his story but detectives discovered that the vehicle never left Volusia County," Chitwood said.
Further investigation revealed bloodstains on the vehicle. "Bloody fingerprints found in Scott's vehicle were identified as belonging to Harris," the investigator said.
"Michael Harris has a history of posing as a gay prostitute and blackmailing and robbing the victims, and in this case, murdering the victim. The only explanation is the car as the victim did not carry cash," Chitwood said about the motive behind the murder.
Representative image Photo: Wikimedia Commons
