OKEECHOBEE — The body of a dead man was found Saturday in a load of trash from Martin County that had been dumped at the Okeechobee County Landfill.

According to a report by Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) Deputy Daniel Eng, the man was found Dec. 26 around 11:25 a.m. The body was discovered by Mark Ray Broadrick Jr., a landfill employee who was conducting an inspection of the trash being dumped.

Christine Weiss, public information officer for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), said Monday morning the case will be handled by detectives with that agency.

She said the man has been identified as a white male, in his 40s, with a Palm Beach County address. His identification has not been released pending notification of next kin, which may be difficult since his family apparently lives in Europe.

“An autopsy will be done today (Monday, Dec. 28) at 1:30 p.m.,” added Ms. Weiss. “He has some local ties and some national ties, also.”

She went on to say that a gun was also found in the area, and while detectives suspect it was the gun used to take the man’s life, the model and make of the firearm is not being released at this time.

Deputy Eng’s report indicated the trash was brought to Okeechobee from the Martin County Solid Waste facility in Palm City. The waste was hauled in a tractor-trailer being driven by Teodora Aguirre.

The deputy’s report stated Mr. Broadrick “... tipped the trash out of the semi, then went to do a load inspection. Mark is required to inspect the load that is dropped by a semi at least three times a week.”

Deputy Eng went on to point out Mr. Broadrick got within 5 to 6 feet of the dead man and verified it was, indeed, a body.

“Mark thought at first it was a manikin,” added the deputy.

The incident was then turned over to OCSO detectives Corporal Ted Van Deman and Marty D. Faulkner. After it was discovered the trash came to Okeechobee from Martin County, the case was turned over to MCSO investigators.