Dunnellon Backyard Horror As Son Charged In Father's Burial Killing

A 25-year-old Dunnellon man is facing a second-degree murder charge after investigators say he admitted to killing his father and burying him in the backyard of the home they shared. Deputies reported finding human remains in a freshly dug spot during a May 18 search of the property, and the case remains an active homicide investigation.

Missing-person probe led detectives to the yard

The Marion County Sheriff's Office launched a missing-person investigation on May 16 after a relative reported that the 43-year-old man had not been seen since May 7, according to WCJB. Major Crimes detectives obtained a search warrant for 2180 NW 225th Avenue in Dunnellon, where they say they discovered an area of freshly disturbed dirt and a large rolled carpet that appeared to contain human remains. Investigators also collected items inside the home that were suspected to have dried blood on them.

Jailhouse interview produced a confession

Deputies say the remains recovered on May 18 were later identified as 43-year-old Andres Bahamon‑Prada. His 25-year-old son was already in custody at that point on a tampering-with-evidence charge. During a subsequent interview at the jail, detectives say the son confessed to the killing, described how he buried the body and told investigators he had "asked God a million times" to let him kill his father, claiming he was "doing God's work" because his father was allegedly "trying to link up with satanic people," as reported by FOX 13 News.

Not the first grim discovery at the property

Local reporting notes that the same Dunnellon backyard was the site of a 2009 case in which human remains were found in a burn pit. The Marion County Sheriff's Office has told reporters that the earlier discovery is not connected to the current investigation. Deputies are also asking for help finding a silver 2007 Infiniti M35 that they believe may contain evidence in the case, according to WESH.

Charges, custody and what investigators want

Following the alleged confession, prosecutors upgraded the son's charge to second-degree murder, and county jail records indicate he is being held without bond, local coverage reports via ClickOrlando. Under Florida law, second-degree murder is a felony that can be punished by a prison term of up to life, according to the Florida Statutes. Anyone with information about the case or the missing vehicle is asked to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office tip line at 352-732-9111.