ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Mount Vernon woman is facing multiple charges after human remains were found outside her home on Disputanta Road on Sunday.
Online records reported that an investigation began when family members reported that 40-year-old Tuasha Flores Mejia was operating a vehicle belonging to a man, who had been reported missing Friday.
Kentucky State Police Post 11-London responded to the scene at around 3 a.m. Sunday after being contacted by Rockcastle County 911 Dispatch to assist with the investigation.
Deputies with the Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office had received information from a woman indicating that Mejia was operating the missing man's vehicle. A 2002 Pontiac Montana minivan matching the description of the missing vehicle was observed in the driveway of Mejia's home, records detailed.
The missing man's family told investigators they had never known Mejia to possess or operate his vehicle.
After repeated attempts to contact Mejia, she exited the home and was detained without incident. Upon examination, the dead person was discovered covered with a tarp with objects placed on top. The body was not visible without lifting the tarp and other items, records read.
The dead person was taken to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office for official determination of cause of death.
During a custodial interview at the Mount Vernon Police Department, Mejia waived her Miranda rights and agreed to speak with investigators. She reportedly denied all knowledge of the dead person beside her house.
"She stated she last saw [the missing man] approximately four days ago, and he said he was headed to Tennessee for a few weeks," police said.
Meijia's is charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, tampering with physical evidence, and receiving stolen property valued between $1,000 and $10,000.
Her bond is set at $1,000,000 cash.
