Florida police arrested the boyfriend of Kathleen Moore, a woman who went missing more than a week ago in an area northwest of Tampa.
Collin Scott Knapp, 30, was charged Monday with second-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of 34-year-old Kathleen Moore. So said Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco at a news conference.
Scott Knapp
Evidence recovered in the case indicates that Moore is dead, but investigators have not found her body, authorities said.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to Kathleen Moore’s family and friends. I know everyone was looking for a better outcome, and we all were, but unfortunately, this is what we have,” Nocco said.
Detectives asked Knapp to tell them where to find Moore, but he has not answered questions about his whereabouts, Nocco said.
Knapp, who remains at the Pasco County Detention Center, has requested an attorney and would be arraigned Tuesday afternoon, according to Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Rosa.
What the police discovered after Moore’s disappearance
Based on their investigation, authorities searched a dumpster at the restaurant where Knapp works and discovered blood – identified as belonging to Moore – on clothing that belonged to Knapp, Rosa said. And he noted that the amount of blood found suggests that Moore has died.
According to Nocco, investigators found that Moore and Knapp had an argument on the night of November 28 when they were hanging out with friends in nearby Pinellas County.
Knapp told investigators the couple had another argument at his New Port Richey home after midnight and that Moore left before he left for the restaurant where he works “to fill out a meat inventory order” around 1:30 am, Nocco said.
Investigators have no evidence that Moore ever left Knapp’s home, the sheriff said.
Canine units from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, a team of drones and “20 to 30” detectives are searching various areas of Pasco County trying to find Moore’s body, Rosa said.
The sheriff’s office has received many notices and calls about the case and the sheriff asked the public to continue providing notices.
“If there’s one thing I can tell the family, it’s that this community absolutely loved Kathleen,” Nocco said.