St. Lucie sheriff's officials continue investigation of remains of man found in rural area

Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·1 min read

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Medical examiner’s officials could not determine the cause of death of a man whose decomposed remains were found last year in a remote area, and investigators this week reported the case is active.

St. Lucie County sheriff’s officials responded to a 911 call Nov. 16 to Taylor Dairy Road north of St. Lucie Boulevard.

Then Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Brian Hester said the remains were “pretty heavily decomposed,” though officials ultimately identified the deceased as 32-year-old Brock Hackworth, who was reported missing days earlier.

The area where Hackworth was found is just east of North Kings Highway in a largely rural area.

“The investigation into Brock Hackworth’s death is still active and ongoing,” Sheriff Ken Mascara stated via a Monday email. “While the medical examiner has finalized their report, they could not determine the cause of death due to the body’s state of decomposition.”

Brock Hackworth (left), Caroline Roberts (right)
Brock Hackworth (left), Caroline Roberts (right)

Hackworth was reported missing to Fort Pierce police Nov. 11, a report states.

Caroline Roberts, now 34, told investigators she’d known Hackworth for nine years, and that they have a daughter, the report states.

“Caroline stated that Brock does not have any friends or family in the area,” the report states.

St. Lucie County sheriff’s officials were investigating after human remains were found Nov. 16, 2022 north of St. Lucie Boulevard and Taylor Dairy Road.
St. Lucie County sheriff’s officials were investigating after human remains were found Nov. 16, 2022 north of St. Lucie Boulevard and Taylor Dairy Road.

Roberts told Fort Pierce police she last saw Hackworth Nov. 6 at a hotel on Reynolds Drive, which is off Okeechobee Road between Florida’s Turnpike and Interstate 95.

Those with information about Hackworth’s death are asked to call detectives at 772-462-3230 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS.

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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Brock Hackworth's death remains under investigation in St. Lucie