UPDATE: MISSING PERSON/HOMICIDE GARY SANDERS

UPDATED RESUME 01/04/2011 10:00 P.M.

Victim(s):

• Gary W. Sanders-65 Frederica, Delaware 

Defendant(s):

• Juan G. Strydom-30 Milford, DE

Charge(s) and Bond Information:

• Murder First Degree
• Abusing a Corpse
• Held without Bail James T. Vaughn Correctional Center

Resume:

Frederica/Milford-On Tuesday January 4, 2011 Juan G. Strydom-30 of Milford Delaware was returned to the State of Delaware by State Detectives around 6:30 p.m.  Strydom was processed at Delaware State Police Troop 3 and presented before a Justice of the Peace Court 2 for his bail hearing. 

Strydom was charged with Murder First Degree and Abusing a Corpse and now is being held at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center without bail.   

==================================

UPDATE: MISSING PERSON INVESTIGATION RULED HOMICIDE

Victim(s):

• Gary W. Sanders-65 Frederica, Delaware 

Suspect(s):

• Juan G. Strydom-30 Milford, DE

Charge(s) Pending Extradition:

• Murder First Degree
• Abusing a Corpse
• Incarcerated in Dillon, SC on a Fugitive Warrant awaiting Extradition

Resume Updated 12/17/10:

Frederica/Milford-Delaware State Police Detectives on Thursday December 16, 2010 executed a search warrant at the residence where Juan G. Strydom-30 of Milford was known to reside. 

Delaware State Police, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Delaware Department of Justice Attorney General’s Office, Delaware Department of Transportation, Office of the Chief Medical Examiners, Puls Sonar and Delmarva Search and Rescue all assisted in the execution of the search warrant. 

Delaware State Police through the course of their criminal investigation obtained acquaintance information linking Juan G. Strydom as having contact with the victim Gary W. Sanders-65 of Frederica Delaware. 

Delaware State Police through phone records were able to determine that Sanders was believed to have last used his cellular phone on September 30, 2010.  Delaware State Police first began investigating the Gary Sander’s disappearance after receiving a call from an area business concerning a strange email allegedly sent by the victim speaking of declining health and financial problems. 

Delaware State Police further discovered that in late September and early October Sander’s bank card had been used to purchase a large number of items ranging from clothing to bungee cords, large tarps and construction rental equipment.  Large money withdrawals in the thousands had also been withdrawn from Sander’s bank account during this period of time.  Delaware State Police additionally received anonymous information that Strydom used the victim’s 2008 Ford Sport Trac on a number of occasions. 

On Thursday December 16, 2010 during the search of the property in the 1000 block of S. DuPont Highway the ground in a wooded area appeared to have been disturbed.  A probe of the ground conducted by Puls Sonar discovered an abnormality in the consistency of the ground.  After this probe a cadaver dog from Delmarva Search and Rescue alerted on that same area. 

The area in which the cadaver dog alerted on was excavated and a body wrapped in a tarp was located approximately 5 to 6 feet underground and 500 feet from the roadway S. DuPont Highway Milford.  The body was taken to the Millsboro Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office where manner of death was determined to be a Homicide.  The cause of death is still under investigation. Sanders’ body was positively identified through the use of dental records.

Delaware State Police obtained an arrest warrant for Juan G. Strydom based on evidence obtained throughout the investigation and intend on charging Strydom with Murder First Degree and Abusing a Corpse. 

Delaware State Police obtained information that Strydom has ties to Dillon South Carolina.  The Dillon County Sheriff’s Office was contacted concerning our investigation and Strydom was picked up at a residence in Dillon South Carolina around 2:00 a.m. Friday December 17, 2010.  Strydom is currently being held as a Fugitive from Justice in Dillon South Carolina. 

Delaware State Police is continuing their investigation and is also waiting for Strydom to be extradited to Delaware where he will be formally charged with the Murder of Gary W. Sanders of Frederica. 

======================================  

DSP News Release: State Police Seek Answers in Missing Person Investigation 

Location: 

• Wyatt Street N. Bowers Beach Frederica, Delaware 

LAST SEEN DATE and TIME:  

• October 1, 2010

Victim(s):

• Gary W. Sanders-65 Frederica, Delaware 

Resume:

Frederica-Delaware State Police is currently seeking information in a missing person’s investigation.  Delaware State Police is attempting to locate Gary W. Sanders-65 of Wyatt Street N. Bowers Beach Frederica Delaware. 

What Delaware State Police know is that Sanders was last seen on October 1, 2010.  Sanders is a white male having gray hair balding, brown eyes, and 5’06” in height weighing approximately 160 lbs.  At this point Delaware State Police cannot say if his disappearance is suspicious in nature, however we intend on exploring every avenue.  Sanders has been known to frequent Ocean View, Laurel and Frederica areas of Delaware.

Delaware State Police is seeking information on Sanders’ whereabouts and is requesting citizens to contact Delaware State Police Troop 3 at 302-697-2104 ext. 308.  Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-333 3 or on line at www.tipsubmit.com.  

www.tipsubmit.com

Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to call investigators at 302-697-2104 ext. 308 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333

Juan G. Strydom