On 11/29/2016, members with the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of James Avenue and Dairy Road in Auburndale; in reference to a vehicle which was abandoned in the roadway. The vehicle owner was Jarvis Merricks and attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.

On 02/25/2021, members with the Polk County Sheriff's Office were conducting an investigation of human remains which were found in a grassy field in the area of Kenwood Grove Lane in Auburndale. Personal effects, to include a drivers license for Jarvis, were located in the wooded area lining this grassy field. This area is within walking distance from where the above listed vehicle was abandoned.

Contact was made with family after locating the license and it was learned that they had not seen or heard from Jarvis in several years. At that time, law enforcement entered the victim into FCIC/NCIC as a missing person and began a missing persons investigation since he had not been reported as such. (Information retrieved from NamUs.gov)