Young Florida Mom's Body Found In A Canal; Family Friend Charged With Murder

A 45-year-old Florida man has been arrested for allegedly killing a 23-year-old mother whose body was found in a canal after she was reported missing.

Eric William Westergard was charged with first-degree murder Monday in connection with the death of a young mother, Perrin Damron, Martin County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post.

"The suspect charged in the death of 23-year old Perrin Damron of Martin County is identified as 45-year old Eric William Westerguard of Jupiter. Westerguard has been charged with First Degree Murder-Premeditated. He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail without bond," the post read.

A friend reported the victim missing at around 10 p.m. Saturday, Sheriff William Snyder said as per WPTV. The friend told the police Damron had not been seen since her son's father picked up the 2-year-old boy from her Manatee Creek home at around 6 p.m. Friday. She found it suspicious that Damron, a loving mother, had not talked to her child since then.

"Ms. Damron was extremely careful and a loving mother – and had not been in touch with the child since Friday," Snyder told TCPalm.

Officials conducted an initial search in hospitals and jails but found no trace of her. It was at this point that the Martin County Sheriff's Office got involved in the investigation.

By Sunday morning, detectives learned that Damron had last been sighted with Westergard, a family friend on her mother's side. Westergard went to Damron's house at around 6:30 p.m. Friday. According to the police, she left with him voluntarily.

While being interviewed by the police, Westergard, who lives near Jupiter Farms, reportedly gave incriminating statements. Physical evidence was also found at the house, Snyder disclosed as per TCPalm.

Westergard then led the detectives to a State Road 710 overpass above the Okeechobee Waterway heading into Indiantown. There, in a canal, detectives and marine units found Damron's body.

An autopsy has not been done yet and the official cause of death has not been made available.

"We would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming expression of support and prayers for the safe recovery of Ms. Damron, Unfortunately, this case did not end as we all had hoped," the Sheriff's Office said in another Facebook post.

Westergard is currently being held at the Palm Beach County jail without bail. The case remains under active investigation.