Missing man, 21, presumed dead after blood found at friend's home, authorities say

A 21-year-old reported missing nearly a month ago is presumed dead after a “significant amount of blood” was found at his best friend’s home, Florida law enforcement announced.

Her body has not been found, but two men have been arrested in connection with her death, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a news conference Monday.

“We have every reason to believe at this point that Ethan Fussell is the victim of homicide,” Judd said.

Fussell was living with a 25-year-old man, whom he called his best friend and “brother,” when the two men got into an argument, deputies said. Fussell was last heard from on May 7 and has not been seen since, according to authorities.

Investigators said they searched the Lakeland home where Fussell was staying and found a “significant amount of blood” and evidence of attempts to clean up a crime scene.

The blood has now been identified as Fussell's, Judd said.

On Sunday, Fussell's best friend, 25, was arrested, along with another 21-year-old man who lived in the home, according to the sheriff's office. Both are charged with accessory after the fact to a capital crime and destruction/tampering with evidence, Judd said.

The sheriff encouraged anyone with information to come forward. The investigation is ongoing.

Fussell's family described him as an “intelligent, hard-working and loyal man” but said he doesn't keep in touch with his family much these days.

“Even though we don't know much about his recent life, we DO know who he has been most of his life and who he is deep down,” his mother wrote on Facebook. “He has survived so much trauma in his past. We pray he survives this and comes home soon.

Lakeland is 35 miles east of downtown Tampa.

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