Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced Wednesday that two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Ethan Fussell, last seen on the night of May 7 near Tom Costine and Driggers roads in rural North Lakeland. The previously arrested individuals, Talon Isaac Page, 25, and Adoni Moran-Rivera, 21, both of Lakeland, are now charged with first-degree murder.
During a news conference at the Sheriff’s Operations Center in Winter Haven, Sheriff Judd emphasized the need for public assistance in locating a 2000 Lexus 400, believed to be used in disposing of Fussell’s body. The silver, four-door vehicle with dark-tinted windows and a sunroof has a Florida tag of CC02IL and was last seen on May 13 traveling east on Interstate 4 near Lakeland.
Initially arrested on Sunday for accessory to capital murder and tampering with evidence, Page and Moran-Rivera now face additional counts after detectives uncovered further evidence linking them to Fussell’s suspected killing.
Judd revealed that the girlfriends of both suspects, Crystal Droweingo, 24, and Autumn Lee Thomas, 24, have also been arrested and charged with three felonies each: providing false information to law enforcement, tampering with evidence, and being accessories after the fact to a capital murder. Sheriff Judd remarked, “You’ll never be together again,” indicating the seriousness of the charges against the women.
The sheriff stated that Droweingo and Thomas could have served as witnesses but opted to protect their boyfriends by misleading investigators. If convicted, they could face up to 40 years in prison. Judd warned that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests may follow if individuals do not cooperate.
According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, detectives confirmed that Droweingo and Thomas were at Page’s mobile home on the night of Fussell’s disappearance. Thomas initially denied being present, but investigators verified her involvement. She allegedly lied to detectives, contacted others to provide false statements, and helped Page evade law enforcement. Droweingo, on the other hand, claimed she was asleep during the incident but later misled investigators about her knowledge of the events.
Sheriff Judd disclosed that the attack on Fussell was recorded on video obtained through a search warrant, which significantly contributed to the murder charges. The mobile home where the incident occurred was known for drug-related activity. Investigators found significant blood evidence, which matched Fussell’s DNA, and believe a large piece of carpet cut from the home was used to transport him to the Lexus, where investigators suspect his remains may still be located.
The sheriff mentioned that Fussell and Page, who referred to each other as brothers, likely had a dispute over drugs or money before his disappearance. Remarkably, Fussell had no prior arrests or criminal history before moving in with Page, coming from a respectable family.
Currently, all suspects are being held without bond at the Polk County Jail. Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information regarding the whereabouts of Ethan Fussell’s body and any additional arrests related to his murder.