POLK COUNTY, Fla — A 21-year-old Lakeland man missing for a month was murdered by a friend he considered a "brother," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
Judd provided an update Monday about the missing persons case involving 21-year-old Ethan Fussell. He had been last seen before 11:30 p.m. on May 7 at a home on Driggers Road.
His body still has not been found. However, Judd said that based on a "significant" amount of blood found at the alleged crime scene, investigators have reason to believe Fussell was murdered.
"We have every reason to believe Ethan Fussell is a victim of murder," Judd said.
Judd said almost immediately they zeroed in on 25-year-old Talon Page, who lived at the residence and who Fussell reportedly considered a "brother." The sheriff continued that the Driggers Road home where Page lived was known to have drugs and weapons inside.
"When you have dope, when you have guns, you have death," Judd said during a news conference Monday.
Investigators believe Page and Fussell argued, either over money or drugs, and that led to Fussell's murder, Judd said.
Also living in the home is 21-year-old Adonai Moran-Rivera. Both he and Page have multiple felony charges, according to Judd. Rivera had recently gotten out of prison, Judd added.
To aid the investigation, Judd said the sheriff's office arrested Page on May 12 on a charge of improper disposal of a cigarette. Eventually, however, Page was released.
Investigators were able to search the house, where they found a lot of blood and an attempt to clean it.
It took until the end of the month, but Judd said on Friday, May 31, forensics came back with a match to the blood — it belonged to Fussell. Once they got confirmation, Judd said deputies worked to locate Page and Rivera, who was now also a suspect.
On June 2, over in a Mulberry neighborhood, someone called to report seeing Page and Rivera at the home. It turns out, that home belonged to a friend of Rivera, one he had met in prison.
Page and Rivera were taken into custody.
Page was charged with accessory after the fact of a capital felony and destroying/tampering with evidence. The sheriff's office said he has 11 previous felonies. Rivera was also charged with accessory after the fact of a capital felony and destroying/tampering with evidence. He has 41 previous misdemeanors and was released in May 2023 from prison.
No one has yet to be directly charged with Fussell's death, however.
Judd was quick to point out Fussell was not a "bad kid. He's just the opposite — a good boy." However, he got involved with the wrong crowd. And that likely got him killed, Judd said.
"Unfortunately, he befriended the likes of these folks," Judd said during the news conference, gesturing to Page and his accomplice. "That’s what ultimately led to his death."
Judd said the investigation is ongoing, as well as the search for Fussell's body.
"We want to bring Ethan home," Judd said.
The sheriff's office at the time was encouraging people to come forward with information, noting the option to remain anonymous by reporting to Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-400-TIPS.