Man’s Body Found In Trunk Of Car In Palmetto: Manatee County Sheriff

PALMETTO, FL — One man was arrested and investigators are searching for another suspect after a man’s body was found in the trunk of a car early Sunday, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Palmetto police officers patrolling Palmetto Estuary Nature Preserve found the victim, 32-year-old Manual Escobar, dead from multiple gunshot wounds in a car’s trunk around 2 a.m.

Homicide detectives learned that he had been shot in the 2800 block of 5th Street E. in Bradenton and his body was later left in the abandoned car at the park, the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives arrested Freddy Sandoval, 25, in connection to the shooting. An arrest warrant for second-degree murder has also been issued for 20-year-old Idus Murkenson, whose location is unknown.

The three men were involved in a dispute over money on Saturday when Murkenson shot Escobar multiple times, the sheriff’s office said.

Murkenson may be driving a gold Volkswagen Jetta with a Florida license plate 97EJTY.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 or online at www.ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.