The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has identified the body found in the woods near Guild Street last week as a wanted homicide suspect, Fidel Fletcher. On January 19, 2024, deputies responded to the area of Guild Street and Peachland Boulevard to investigate after a body was discovered by a resident of the area.

CCSO said the remains were already in a state of decomposition making immediate identification impossible. Evidence at the scene suggests Fletcher took his own life, but the cause and manner of death are still pending. On December 26, 2023, a warrant was issued for Fletcher in connection to the slaying of his wife, Nicole Gates.

Fletcher had fled on foot before deputies reached the scene leading to a statewide search. CCSO said the case will now be closed with the identification of Fletcher’s body.