The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has released information concerning a body found on the Mosaic Company property. The man has been identified as Michael Ford II of Wauchula.
A Mosaic employee discovered the body on Thursday, June 27th, 2019. When discovered, a large — approximately 449 pound, 11 foot — alligator had Ford’s body in its mouth.
After calling for help and as first responders arrived on-scene, the huge gator disengaged.
Florida Wildlife Officers later trapped and killed the gator.
A necropsy of the gator revealed a hand and foot inside the it’s stomach.
A preliminary autopsy also revealed that Ford had several lacerations and injuries consistent with a gator attack. According to this report, it appears that Ford died of drowning. However, a final report is still pending.
Detectives have impounded a truck found at the scene. The truck belongs to a friend of Ford’s, who had recently agreed to sell it to Ford.
Why Ford was on the Mosaic company’s property is anybody’s guess. The company does not allow anyone on it’s property and it is unclear why Ford was there.
Ford’s family had heard from him since Sunday, June 23, 2019.
Ford’s death is being treated as suspicious by the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives are awaiting the medical examiner’s final report before making a final determination.
