A Florida woman has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of her on-again/off-again boyfriend who disappeared earlier this month. Authorities issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Caylen Deller, 30, and Tina Marie Lee-Ellis, 56. Putnam County Police posted that Chad Mullen, 53, was likely last seen alive on Sept. 9 and was traveling with Deller, with whom he had an on-again/off-again relationship, to a location near Deller’s business. The women were arrested after the body of Mullen was discovered in Florida following receiving a tip.
Mullen was first reported missing on September 15 by his family after he missed his brother’s wedding in Texas. “We were supposed to go to Texas to be with family. That’s when I was kind of like, ‘Okay, this is for real,’” Hollie Mullen, Chad’s daughter, told News4JAX. “At first it was just kind of unbelievable. I was just like, ‘He’s just going to come back.’”
The body was discovered off the side of a rural road by a mechanic/equipment operator on a property about a quarter of a mile from the Putnam County line. The man said he noticed an unusual dirt pile which led to the discovery. “We found him probably no more than 20 to 25 feet off of the side of the road into the front yard of the property,” Robert Rash told Action News Jax. “It was just the location of the pile that made no sense because there’s no road going through there. There’s no drainage going through there,” said Rash.
Lee-Ellis turned herself in on Thursday evening and was charged with accessory to first-degree murder after the fact. Deller was arrested in Volusia County and charged with first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm. The investigation is still ongoing. Authorities say It is still unclear how long the women knew each other.
The community is shocked and saddened by this tragic event. Friends and family of the victim are left searching for answers and closure. The arrest of the two women brings some relief, but the pain of losing a loved one in such a violent manner will linger for a long time.
Cases like these remind us of the importance of being vigilant and aware of our surroundings. It is crucial to pay attention to red flags in relationships and seek help if needed. Domestic violence can escalate to dangerous levels, as seen in this case, and it is essential to take action to protect oneself and others.
As the investigation continues, more details may come to light, shedding further insight into the events leading up to Mullen’s tragic death. The legal process will unfold, and justice will hopefully be served for the victim and his family. The community will come together to support each other during this difficult time and work towards healing and preventing similar incidents in the future.