Talon Page, right and Adonai Moran-Rivera, left, are facing charges related to the May 7, 2024, disappearance of Ethan Fussell, middle, from a home in Polk County, Florida. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Deputies in Florida on Sunday arrested two people they believe murdered a man reported missing last month, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Ethan Fussell, 21, disappeared from a home on Driggers Road in Lakeland on May 7. He was last seen with 25-year-old Talon Page and 21-year-old Adonai Moran-Rivera, who lived at the Driggers Road home.
Judd said at a press conference Monday that deputies treated the incident as a missing persons investigation in the initial days after Fussell disappeared, however that quickly changed when they found a “significant” amount of blood at the Driggers Road home. Detectives believe Page and Moran-Rivera killed Fussell after an argument over drugs or money. The suspects then cleaned up the crime scene. Page and Fussell were best friends and considered themselves like brothers, Judd said.
Even though they have not located Fussell’s remains, detectives felt they had enough for an arrest after a lab test that came back Friday confirmed the blood found in the home belonged to Fussell.
Page and Moran-Rivera are facing charges of accessory after the fact of a capital felony and destroying/tampering with evidence. Cops took them to the Polk County Jail on Saturday after receiving a tip they were hiding out at a home in nearby Mulberry. The suspects allegedly took steps to disguise themselves.
Judd said upon arrest Page allegedly told deputies: “I cut my hair because I was on the run. I knew you were looking for me.”
Moran-Rivera was reportedly on the porch wearing a stocking mask when deputies approached the home to arrest them.
“You know you’re a little suspicious when, at your hangout, you’re coming outside wearing a full stocking mask,” Judd said. “No one said these folks were Rhodes scholars. They are criminals.”
Page and Moran-Rivera reportedly declined to speak with detectives after they were arrested.
Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of Fussell’s body. You can call 1-888-400-8477 or visit heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip.”
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
