Cassie Carli case: Missing Florida mom’s body found in shallow grave in Alabama one day after ex is arrested

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (TCD) -- The body of a missing mother was found buried in a shallow grave in Alabama over the weekend, just days after her ex-boyfriend was arrested on charges related to her disappearance.

Cassie Carli’s disappearance and the discovery of her body span several states. On Sunday, April 3, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson announced in a press conference that investigators found Carli’s body while executing a search warrant in Alabama. Johnson did not elaborate on the details surrounding the findings but said they located her remains "in a barn in a shallow grave."

Carli’s ex-boyfriend Marcus Spanevelo was arrested in Lebanon, Tennessee, by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on April 2, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked on charges of tampering with evidence, giving false information concerning a missing persons investigation, and destruction of evidence.

During his press conference, Johnson said Spanevelo "does have a connection to the property" where Carli was found. He described Spanevelo as "totally uncooperative" because Spanevelo would only say "lawyer" any time an investigator asked him a question.

When asked whether Spanevelo will waive his extradition rights, Johnson said the suspect has been "acting like a dirtbag" and he doesn’t "see that changing," so he believes there will be a process to get him to Florida.

Johnson said Spanevelo allegedly took Carli’s phone and "basically got rid of it."

Carli was reportedly identified by a tattoo on her right foot, the St. Clair County Coroner told WFLA-TV.

Carli was reported missing to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office after she was last seen in Navarre Beach on Sunday, March 27. WFLA reports she and Spanevelo were due to meet in the Juana’s Pagodas parking lot to exchange custody of their daughter, Saylor. Her car was reportedly found in the parking lot, and Saylor and Spanevelo were located the next day in Alabama. Saylor is reportedly safe.

Johnson said an autopsy was scheduled and there will be a "great case" against Spanevelo and additional charges will be filed. Johnson said at the press conference he believes Spanevelo "is either going to spend the rest of his life in prison or he's going to get the needle," adding, "Hopefully the needle."

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