LF man found dead

Michael Sanders

NEWS Staff Report

LOS FRESNOS, TX—A 24-year-old man reported missing from his home was found dead earlier in the week, announced Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino.

Trevino said that sheriff’s investigators do not suspect foul play in the man’s death.

Local law enforcement agencies were searching for the victim, identified as Michael Sanders, who was last seen Sunday morning at 33679 Track 43 Road in Los Fresnos.

Sanders has a mental disability, according to individuals who identified as family members in online posts and by investigators.

“Unfortunately, he was found on a farm field, deceased,” Trevino said on Monday night.

An autopsy was ordered after his nude remains were found in a field on Monday.

Sanders’ body was found by Cameron County Precinct 4 Constables, according to reports.

He was pronounced dead by Cameron County Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Juan Mendoza at around 7:30 p.m. Monday, shortly after his body was discovered.

According to Mendoza, deputies reported that Sanders was found in a field on Highway 100 near Sanders’ home. Sanders was found naked with his face down and his arms underneath his body. His prosthetic foot was missing and has yet to be recovered, Mendoza added.

An individual who identified as Sanders’ brother confirmed that Sanders had special needs and accused the sheriff’s department of not acting fast enough after his brother was reported missing.

“The  sheriff’s  department  neglected  to  look  for  my  brother,  and  he  was  found  42  hours  later,  cold  and naked. Unfortunately, he passed away after we went searching for him with no help from the sheriff’s office. I hold him accountable for his death. An angel was taken too soon by the people sworn to protect him. They were told he had mental disabilities,” Sanders’ brother posted on Facebook.

The sheriff’s office did not respond to the accusations as of press time.

Sanders’ brother described the victim as a 24-year-old with the mind of a six-year-old.

“I will miss my brother, but the police will never be the heroes. They only care for themselves and covering their (expletive). They did not take pictures or even come into the house after they found him. They wanted to conduct an investigation. Where were they when we were searching for hours? I drove 12 hours back and forth, walking through brush and mud,” according to the post.