Lee County, FL – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirms that Jake Hemmert has been charged for the murder of his father, Brian Hemmert.
Brian’s body was found inside his River Hall home in a freezer. He was 60-years-old.
According to the sheriff’s office, Jake shot his father in bed. He claimed that it was a suicide request from his father.
Jake cleaned the bloody mattress and put it in the attic covered in trash bags. Then spent over $30,000 on his dad’s credit cards.
He claimed that his dad was in a crash in June, but he was fine. Jake later admitted that Brian made it up so he did not have to talk to his father, Paul Hemmert.
The police report states that Jake claimed had spoken to his dad since he had gone missing. The sheriff’s office says this could not be proven on cell phone logs.
He said the last time he saw his dad was when he dropped him off at the Punta Gorda Airport for a trip to Utah.
His story changed again when he said his dad fled the country to fight human trafficking.
LCSO states the investigation revealed that a large chest freezer was delivered to the residence. The freezer was found hidden from view and covered with supplies.
The freezer was still running, but had been duct taped closed. According to LCSO, when detectives opened it, they found Brian’s body.
Finger prints were taken that match Jake. He admitted to shooting his father, cleaning up the scene, destroying the mattress and spending as much as $30,000 of his dad’s money.
LCSO states Jake has been charged with second degree murder, credit card fraud and grand theft.
Detectives launched an investigation on August 28 after his father Paul Hemmert reported him missing.
Jake was arrested that day for an unrelated warrant out of Arizona.
Deputies found Brian’s body on September 7 but they have not said yet how he died.
Paul said that he spoke with his son every week. They never missed a phone call, until all of a sudden, it stopped.
Last week, Paul said he was informed by deputies his son’s body was found at Brian’s home on Yellow Wood Drive.
