Five years ago, the story of Susan Mauldin might have remained buried under the immensity of 7,200 tons of landfill debris, if not for the extraordinary efforts of the FBI's Jacksonville Evidence Response Team (ERT). The ERT successfully conducted the first FBI landfill search for covered remains, digging into the Georgia site where Mauldin’s body was disposed of. The breakthrough in the case came from thorough forensic investigation, which led the team to recover Mauldin's remains, providing closure to the case.
The case began on October 25, 2019, in Clay County, Florida, when authorities received a missing person's report for 65-year-old Susan Mauldin. The investigation progressed after a friend reported an argument between Mauldin and her contractor, Corey Binderim, over an incomplete home remodeling project. Focus shifted to Binderim after it was discovered he had written Mauldin a check for only $1,200 instead of the full $12,000 owed. The investigation revealed additional details, including a purchase of contractor bags and concrete, a visit to Mauldin's home that morning, and the disposal of heavy waste at a local facility. These actions were key to uncovering further developments in the case, as reported by the FBI.
The Jacksonville ERT, led by FBI Special Agent Lauren Regucci, conducted a three-month investigation starting in January 2020. Their task was to search through a large amount of waste for Mauldin's remains. The team carefully examined both physical and circumstantial evidence to ensure a thorough and accurate investigation. "This historic case marked the FBI's first successful landfill search for covered remains and underscores the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to justice for victims," said Regucci, highlighting the challenging process the team had to go through to reach a resolution, according to the FBI.
As the investigation unfolded, the team systematically connected the details of Binderim's actions to Mauldin's disappearance. Surveillance footage was pivotal, capturing Binderim's movements on the day Mauldin vanished and revealing important evidence. Special Agent Regucci's team reconstructed a timeline that led to the discovery in the Georgia landfill. After several months of investigation, the FBI's efforts resulted in the recovery of Mauldin's remains, providing closure for her family.
