Arrest Made Months After Body Found Near Eatery's Drive-Thru: HCSO

TAMPA, FL — A man was charged Friday in connection with the death of a 48-year-old woman last summer, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Dawn Morrison’s body was found partially covered in mulch near the drive-thru of the Church’s Chicken at 2219 East Fletcher Ave. in Tampa on June 18, just after 10 a.m.

Because the body was decomposing, the Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and determined she has upper body trauma, the sheriff’s office said. Her death was ruled as a homicide.

Detectives identified Michael Canty, 54, as the suspect, and DNA evidence and video surveillance footage from the area supported his involvement in the crime.

At the time he was identified as the suspect, Canty was already in custody at the Falkenburg Road Jail on the unrelated charge of failure of a sex offender to report within 48 hours after a change of name or address.

He was charged with second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence in connection with Morrison’s death.

"Our detectives worked tirelessly to bring justice for Dawn Morrison," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Their dedication and relentless investigative efforts led to this arrest, ensuring that the individual responsible faces the consequences of their actions."