A North Fort Myers man found dead in his home Thursday was decapitated.
Robert Charles Cope, 55, was charged today with second degree murder in the death of Charles Buddy Rogers, 70, whose body was discovered at 4210 Hatton Rogers Lane, Apt. 16, after the Sheriff’s Office received a call about an “unresponsive person” shortly before 2 p.m. May 28.
An arrest report from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office states that the body had been decapitated.
“Once the deputies made it in, it was obvious that a trauma event had taken place that resulted in the death of Charles Buddy Rogers,” said Lee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman John Sheehan Friday. “Due to the nature of the crime, deputies with our Major Crimes Unit responded to assume the investigation. They interviewed neighbors and other persons of interest that provided investigators that information leading to the suspect.
“The complainant was a friend who put us in touch with the caretaker, who then led us to the suspect,” he added. “The suspect was an acquaintance.”
Cope, described by officials as a transient, was charged after detectives linked him to the crime scene using evidence found at the scene and on his person, officials reported. He was taken to the Lee County Jail.
An autopsy by the The District 21 Medical Examiner’s Office is pending
At this time, officials report no additional information.