FORT WHITE, Fla. (WTXL) — Three people have been arrested for the brutal murder of a Suwannee County man who was found dead in a wooded area last week.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office has arrested Dashan Ricardo Lewis, 42, Danielle Katherine Cianelli, 22, and Cody James Bartosek, 28, for the murder of Steven McGee.
McGee, a Branford man, was found lying in a wooded area near the county line between Suwannee and Columbia counties on April 8.
On Friday, April 12, deputies arrested Lewis and Cianelli, who are both from Lake City. Just after midnight on Monday, Bartosek was taken into custody outside a Lake City motel where he was staying. Deptuies say Bartosek is the third and final suspect in the "brutal murder" of McGee.
Bartosek was arrested on a warrant for premeditated murder, using a firearm in commission of a felony, felon in possession of a firearm, tamper with and destroying evidence, and mishandling of human remains.
Lewis has been charged with premeditated first degree murder with firearm discharge, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, possession of controlled substance, unlawful storage, and transport of human remains. Additionally, he is facing charges for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a short barreled shotgun.
Cianelli is being charged with accessory after the fact to: Premeditated first degree murder with firearm discharge, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, possession of controlled substance, unlawful storage, and transport of human remains.
All three are being held in jail on no bond.
A death investigation is underway after a body was found near the county line between Suwannee and Columbia counties.
On Monday, April 8, Columbia County Sheriff Office Detectives began an investigation into the death of a man that was found lying in a wooded area off Old Spanish Road near Fort White.
Around noon, deputies responded to the area due to a report from a citizen. The citizen, who was taking a walk, discovered the body and called Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, who in turn notified CCSO.
The area where the body was found is near the county line between Suwannee and Columbia Counties.
The body has been taken to the Medical Examiner’s office in Jacksonville for autopsy to determine cause of death. The man has not been identified.
This case is active and on-going.
