Found Deceased FL - Cassie Carli 37, & Saylor (safe) met Ex to exchange custody, Navarre Beach, 27 Mar 2022 *Arrest

[katydid23]

Oh no. I think we knew it was coming. Doesn't make it any less sad. I'm glad her sweet family can lay her to rest.

Yah, we knew that was inevitable because his motive was the custody battle. So in his sick mind he had to get rid of his ex.

 

[Eloise]

IMO, The children of murder victims seem to be better well adjusted when living with the murdered member's side rather than the murderer's family who then brainwashes them that they were falsely convicted. Very stressful for a child. If you lean towards "Nurture" in nature vs nurture then should the murderer's family have another child to damage?

It's not as simple or binary as nurture OR nature. It's a complex mix of both. And nurture doesn't only refer to family; school, friends, community all count too.

And there are plenty of murderers whose families are completely innocent. Sometimes people turn out to be POSs without any obvious or good reason in terms of their upbringing or genetics.

 

[Seattle1]

Do we know yet how he is linked to the property then?

I don't believe there's been any info released but public records indicate MS used an address in 2011 on Highway 11, Springfield, AL that was very nearby to the reported address where Cassie's body recovered. In other words --an area known to him for at least 11 years, if not longer. MOO

 

[katydid23]

I understand why you might ask that but, so far, has there been any indication that his family helped or participated in this tragedy? I think it's not always fair to not allow the other side of the family to interact with the child. Saylor is with the maternal side of the family btw.

It would be unfair for her not to be able to interact with her paternal family, I agree.

However, they should not be able to raise her, imo. That would be incredibly awkward and uncomfortable because they will inevitably be visiting with him and taking his phone calls. Should a very young child be 'forced' to speak to and visit the man who murdered her mother, as she is growing up?

That seems like something she should decide, on her own, as she matures. But to grow up with his family would mean that his violent actions would probably be minimised and justified by her care givers. And that would be heartbreaking, IMO

 

[DeDee]

Presser.
3rd March.

Sheriff - Cassie Carli, who's been missing now for about a week, we've discovered her body while executing a search warrant in Alabama. It was in a barn, in a shallow grave. So, it's not the ending that we wanted, obviously, but we're hoping to provide a little closure for the family. And also, as you know, as we reported earlier, the suspect is currently in jail in Maury County Tennessee, on charges of tampering with evidence and giving false info. with reference to a missing person's investigation.

Our major crimes unit, I can tell you this, I've never been more proud of them. They've served multiple search warrants, in multiple states, travelled over 1500 miles in a week searching for evidence in reference to this crime. (thanks all the Depts. involved for their assistance). That tells you how far out this went, we're just proud that we've got this guy in custody. Obviously, more charges will be pending depending on the autopsy, which will occur tomorrow morning.

Reporter - Do you guys know how she was killed?

Sheriff - No, I don't. The autopsy will reveal that tomorrow, hopefully.

Reporter - Has he been co-operative with this investigation?

Sheriff - Absolutely not. No.

Reporter - What was the tip or what was the information that led you guys to this place in Alabama? Are you guys revealing where she was found, exactly?

Sheriff - No. How we found that location we're not revealing right now. You've got to remember it's an ongoing investigation. So we can just tell you that we had information that led us to that place. We got a search warrant and we discovered the body.

Reporter - You may have said - Her body was found overnight or this morning?

Sheriff - It was found yesterday evening.

Reporter - Is the shed (I think she means barn) connected at all to Mr. Spanevelo?

Sheriff - It is in a round about way, but we can't get into that either, but he does have a connection to the property.

Reporter - Are you able to say if the body was found like - out in the open, or covered or anything like that?

Sheriff - No, a shallow grave.

Reporter - Regarding the previous charges can you at all get into what evidence he tampered with? and what evidence he might have destroyed?

Sheriff - Yeah, it's in reference to the victim's phone. He took her phone and basically got rid of it.

Reporter - Were you guys ever able to locate the phone?

Sheriff - Yes.

Reporter - Where?

Sheriff - We're not going to go into that one.

Reporter - And how did he lie to investigators? What did he lie about?

Sheriff - He lied a couple of times actually, in different scenarios.

LE- (inaudible) clear and convincing evidence that he gave us was materially false, that we were able to confirm.

Reporter - How did police encounter him yesterday? Was this during a traffic stop or...?

Sheriff - Yeah, actually our Detectives went to Tennessee and got with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and TBI and they did surveillance, found him and took him down on his traffic stop and arrested him.

Reporter - Obviously, Thursday when you guys had the other press conference, it was clear that he was a suspect or a person of interest - You guys were keeping tabs on him. Do you feel like he was on the move and a flight risk? Do you think he was trying to leave or hide?

Sheriff - Well, I can't speak for his thought process. I can tell you this, he was totally uncooperative, he never cooperated at all with us. And that goes a long way. I mean you think about it - it's your baby's mother and she's missing and you're not going to cooperative with authorities, that's kind of a tell.

Reporter - At this point, and you may have said it previously, but the child, where is she? I know she's safe, but is she back with family or is she still in custody?

Sheriff - Do yet but we're working on that as we speak. She is being checked on by the Tennessee DCFS and she's safe.

Reporter - I know you said he wasn't cooperative, is he speaking now that her remains have been discovered?

Sheriff - No, all he said was Lawyer. That's all he said.

Reporter - Does he have any known criminal history with this department, or any other department that you're aware of?

Sheriff - Not that I'm aware of, no.

Reporter - In terms of extradition, when can we expect him back here or is he fighting that?

DA's office - Obviously, he's in Tennessee right now. We will know very shortly as to whether he's going to waive extradition. If he does not, we're going to have to submit paperwork to the Governor's office and do a Governor's warrant.

Reporter - That can take up to.. that can be a process?

DA's office - It can be a process, usually we about 30 days to do it. We should know within the next couple of days as to whether or not he's going to fight extradition. So if he's not waiving extradition it'll take a little longer, but It's a pretty routine process going through the Governor's office.

Reporter - And at what point will he...I know you said the charges will obviously be upgraded. Will it be once he gets back here or could it be before then?

DA's office - At this point, as the Sheriff said, the autopsy is likely going to be done tomorrow, which will reveal a great deal more. As soon as we know more we will file the appropriate charges, we've been in consultation with the DA's office in Alabama. As soon as we know more we'll figure out what to charge him, and where to charge it.

Reporter - Do you guys believe he acted alone?

Sheriff - Yes.

Reporter - Was he alone at the time of his arrest yesterday?

Sheriff - Yes he was. And you know, as for extradition, when you say will he waive extradition, you know, since we've been dealing with him, he's been acting like a dirtbag (yup he really said that). I don't see that changing so I'm sure they'll be an extradition process.

Reporter - Do you have any history of Cassie complaining about him? Or any domestic incident history involving the pair?

Sheriff - I was told by somebody that she had applied for a DVO before, but I don't have specifics.

Reporter - The conditions of Saylor - was she unharmed, completely safe, when you saw her last and does she remain so?

Sheriff - Well we never saw her, but the DCFS were the ones that responded and said she was unharmed, in a safe environment.

Reporter - I know it was asked on Thursday, but do you guys believe that the little girl may have witnessed anything? or possibly could provide information for the investigation?

Sheriff - I mean, she's 4 yrs old, so I don't know that she saw anything. We don't have that information yet. Her being 4 yrs. old I don't know how much info. we can actually get out of her.

Reporter - Did someone from your Sheriff's Dept. notify the family? and if so, how did that go, in person.

Sheriff - Yeah, in person. I did it this morning.

Reporter - How did that go?

Sheriff - Well, as you would expect it to. They're crushed. I mean it gives them some closure that they know where she's at now, but still it's their daughter. I mean daughter, sister it is terrible.

Reporter - Was it difficult for you to do that?

Sheriff - It always is, but I mean she was a citizen of mine so I'm obligated. It's not something you look forward to do as a Detective or a Sheriff. It's horrible.

Reporter - You had said on Thursday when asked about the investigation, that the whole major crimes unit, I believe you said 10 or 11 investigators, that was their sole purpose in finding Cassie. Talk again about that, just the fact that you guys weren't giving up and that you did find her.

Sheriff - Like I said, they went over 1500 miles in this investigation, multiple search warrants on cars, phones, houses, properties. I just cannot speak highly enough about them. Very little sleep, travelling all over the place and we've got them in Tennessee, we got them in Alabama, in Panama City. And they're all working as one team and it came to this conclusion. Which you know, we hated that Cassie has passed away, but it's good to get closure for the family and it's good to keep this dirtbag (and again) in jail, where he belongs.

Reporter - Since her remains were found in Alabama are all these agencies still going to be with the investigation?

Sheriff - Well yeah. They're still helping us and they've been a great help. Like up in Tennessee where the truck is, they're taking care of forensics up there and they're helping us with that. And of course the FBI and FDLE are great at offering their services as well. So it's kind of a team effort here, but we have definitely got a great case, and I think once the autopsy's done and you see the charges filed, you'll understand. But I think we have a great case, and I think he's either going to spend the rest of his life in prison, or he's going to get the needle. Hopefully the needle.

Reporter - So you said we're not able to know exactly where the child is, is she with DCSF?

Sheriff - No, she's not with DCSF, she's with the family right now but they've checked the family and they checked location and she is safe.

Reporter - Do you expect he'll be charged with murder?

Sheriff - Well, I'm not going to speak for the State Attorney, they're the only ones that can charge somebody with murder, but after looking at what I've seen, evidence wise I think it's....yeah definitely.

Reporter - Tomorrow do you think you guys will have a cause of death?

Sheriff - Yeah, the autopsy's done tomorrow. It's going to be done up in Huntsville, Alabama, and once we get the results, that will be immediately forwarded to the State Attorney's office, and we'll do what we need to do.

Reporter - I'm sorry to be redundant, but just to absolutely confirm - this body has been confirmed as being Cassie's?

Sheriff - When I say that, confirmed. It's been confirmed by a tattoo. So it's not like dental records or fingerprints or anything, but it's a tattoo in a place that normally you don't have a tattoo and the type of tattoo has led us to believe that this is definitely her. That and the property coinciding with the suspect. It kind of all came together.

Reporter - The family - haven't identified her yet, or have they?

Sheriff - No. The family didn't identify her. The detectives on scene identified her via the tattoo and the information the family gave us. So that's how she got identified.

Reporter - It's a pretty unusual situation, of them doing the custody exchange in a public place. Do you have any recommendations for other family members to do the same? or just go to a different location?

Sheriff - Public places are always good, but time of day matters as well. If it's dark, if they're parked in a secluded part of a parking lot or something. When I say - do your exchange in public, I'm thinking 4 in the afternoon in a Walmart parking lot. Broad daylight, that kind of thing. That's what we mean when we say - in public. If you exchange kids, I would say broad daylight, a big parking lot, lots of people. That's public.

Reporter - You said on Thursday that you guys were looking over surveillance videos, some of it was good, some of it was bad. What has that been able to produce with the investigation? Are you guys still combing over that?

Sheriff - We are. And there's other things that keep coming in. We get tips all the time about "hey, he was in this store or he was here", so now we have to go there and review video footage. And so it's ongoing, just because he's in jail it's not over until he goes to prison. Then it's over. So we're still doing a lot of investigating.

Thank you, Allabouttrial, for providing a transcript for us.

"Reporter - Regarding the previous charges can you at all get into what evidence he tampered with? and what evidence he might have destroyed?

Sheriff - Yeah, it's in reference to the victim's phone. He took her phone and basically got rid of it.

Reporter - Were you guys ever able to locate the phone?

Sheriff - Yes.

Reporter - Where?

Sheriff - We're not going to go into that one."
-----------
I get the feeling that Cassie and her phone were found in the same location inside the barn.

What a prosecutor's nightmare to have a kidnapping occur in one state but perhaps the murder in a neighboring state. Tough to even consider that an alive Cassie may have been forced to ride that distance with him. However, he managed to trick or capture CC, sadly, we know she was terrified of the dirtbag.

Accolades for the LEO involved. Bless that Sheriff who had to deliver the sad, sad news. It gave me chills when reading his words. May the family walk with Peace in knowing that the dirtbag will be in prison forevermore. For precious Saylor, kind thoughts are upon you and wishing for you the best life - always.
.

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

It would be unfair for her not to be able to interact with her paternal family, I agree.

However, they should not be able to raise her, imo. That would be incredibly awkward and uncomfortable because they will inevitably be visiting with him and taking his phone calls. Should a very young child be 'forced' to speak to and visit the man who murdered her mother, as she is growing up?

That seems like something she should decide, on her own, as she matures. But to grow up with his family would mean that his violent actions would probably be minimised and justified by her care givers. And that would be heartbreaking, IMO

it happens. Poor little Grace Flanders was given to the wife of her mother’s murderer, Marie Jane Carlson. I cannot understand for the life of me how the judge granted that other than Tanya and James had time on their side to plan and secure it.

I think about that poor little girl often, separated from her mother’s entire family across the country and being raised by Tanya. James Ty Flanders will be out in a few years.

I’m curious whether evidence of pre-planning will be released. James Ty Flanders got a deal because the police somehow missed Marie’s body in the backyard for 5 years+ so James got off light with manslaughter.

I hope MS gets the book thrown at him and Saylor is with her maternal grandparents.

 

[Katerz]

Some good pics of the barn area there.

From the barn pictures, it looks so beautiful and serene

 

[Sincerely]

I’m glad they found her but sick of these men taking precious mothers away from their babies. Prayers for comfort and peace for her daughter and loved ones. May her journey be peaceful and may justice be swift.

 

[katydid23]

it happens. Poor little Grace Flanders was given to the wife of her mother’s murderer, Marie Jane Carlson. I cannot understand for the life of me how the judge granted that other than Tanya and James had time on their side to plan and secure it.

I think about that poor little girl often, separated from her mother’s entire family across the country and being raised by Tanya. James Ty Flanders will be out in a few years.

I’m curious whether evidence of pre-planning will be released. James Ty Flanders got a deal because the police somehow missed Marie’s body in the backyard for 5 years+ so James got off light with manslaughter.

I hope MS gets the book thrown at him and Saylor is with her maternal grandparents.

Oh, I'm not familiar w/that case but that is awful the child is with the killer's wife. UGH

It has always killed me to think of Michelle Parkers little twins being raised by her ex---the man that disappeared her and has gotten away with it all these years. And he wouldn't allow them to see their maternal family at all, even though they lived with them before Michelle went missing.

 

[Sincerely]

Oh, I'm not familiar w/that case but that is awful the child is with the killer's wife. UGH

It has always killed me to think of Michelle Parkers little twins being raised by her ex---the man that disappeared her and has gotten away with it all these years. And he wouldn't allow them to see their maternal family at all, even though they lived with them before Michelle went missing.

This has always bothered me as well. Michelle’s family is so loving and kind. I pray that nature (hopefully Michelle’s traits in the twins) wins over nurture here and I also hope they seek out their maternal family when they become of age. I pray also that Saylor is raised by her maternal family.

 

[curiouser_]

Presser.

Reporter - It's a pretty unusual situation, of them doing the custody exchange in a public place. Do you have any recommendations for other family members to do the same? or just go to a different location?

Sheriff - Public places are always good, but time of day matters as well. If it's dark, if they're parked in a secluded part of a parking lot or something. When I say - do your exchange in public, I'm thinking 4 in the afternoon in a Walmart parking lot. Broad daylight, that kind of thing. That's what we mean when we say - in public. If you exchange kids, I would say broad daylight, a big parking lot, lots of people. That's public.

SBM. I know they need to ask the questions, but, since when is doing a custody exchange in public an “unusual situation”? I thought it was pretty common to do so in public. Sorry. Maybe I’m nitpicking, but this just struck me as odd.

 

[LeBlack]

SBM. I know they need to ask the questions, but, since when is doing a custody exchange in public an “unusual situation”? I thought it was pretty common to do so in public. Sorry. Maybe I’m nitpicking, but this just struck me as odd.

It's normal and recommended. Even that doesn't guarantee safety. Lighting, people, cameras at least improve your odds at justice.

 

[tlcya]

been a/f/k all weekend. saw the headlines and glad they were able to recover Carli so she can be laid to rest. We all knew we would land here, but tragic for her loved ones nonetheless. The property she was found on will probably turn out to be a place he has done work or was working on. Haven't read any articles yet but do we know if little Saylor witnessed anything?

 

[tlcya]

At Sunday’s news conference, Sheriff Johnson said an autopsy would be conducted Monday morning, after which he expected further charges to be filed. “We have definitely got a great case, and once the autopsy’s done and you see the charges filed, you’ll understand,” he said. “And he’s either going to spend the rest of his life in prison, or he’s going to get the needle. Hopefully the needle.” Carli was identified by a tattoo “in a place that normally you don’t have a tattoo, Sheriff Johnson noted. “And the type of tattoo has led us to believe that this is definitely her.”
Body of 37-year-old Florida mother Cassie Carli found in shallow grave in Alabama
Johnson expects Spanevelo to eventually be extradited to Santa Rosa County Jail from Tennessee.

“He was totally uncooperative. He never cooperated with us,” he said. “And that goes a long way. It’s your baby’s mother and she’s missing — and you’re not going to cooperate with authorities? That’s pretty tell-tale.”
[snip]
The property is linked to Spanevelo, who had recently been living and working in the Birmingham area, according to the US Sun.
Chilling texts revealed after Cassie Carli found in shallow grave

 

[tlcya]

Carli’s body was found during a search warrant nearly one week after she went missing, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said during a Sunday press conference. When authorities searched the barn, they found signs of a body under a patch of dirt that was disrupted.

Investigators were called in to uncover Carli’s body where they initially identified her via a tattoo on her right foot, the St. Clair County coroner told 8 On Your Side.

[snip]

“Cassie’s been telling me for the last two years that [Marcus] has been threatening her,” said her brother, Anthony Carli. “She’s always said, 'if anything happens to me, it’s him.'”
Cassie Carli found dead in shallow grave, ex-boyfriend arrested, deputies say

 

[Seattle1]

**** MODERATOR APPROVED -- ONE TIME ONLY EXCEPTION TO LINK BELOW***

Last August, Cassie's sister (Raeann Carli) was the organizer of a crowdfund seeking donations for legal fees for Cassie's efforts to obtain full custody of her child. The letter below-- in Cassie's own words, was also posted on the funding site.

Although crowdfunding sites are not approved to link on Websleuths, this was Moderator approved for a one-time-only exception specifically to share the victim's letter that provides a window to the history of her relationship with MS, the father of her child, and her alleged killer.
https://www..com/f/g9uz3a-help-cassie-with-legal-fees
______________________

Hello Dear Family and Friends,

I am writing to you today with a heavy heart. I never imagined that I would be in a position in my life

where it would be necessary to write this letter to you. Nonetheless, here I am.

So where do I begin? Let me begin at the beginning. In July of 2017, on the heals of one of the most

traumatic events in my life, I met the man who became the father of my precious daughter. Like so

many relationships I know, I was swept up in hidden deceit known as charm. This man was a master at

the game of manipulation and though I could see all the warning signs of an abuser, I believed his

excuses and became stuck in his web of narcissistic lies. Just months into the relationship, I discovered

that I was pregnant. Let me be clear, I have never regretted my decision to become a mother. Saylor is

truly the light and love of my life.

During my pregnancy, this man’s abusive control and manipulation escalated. But having battled

infertility in my first marriage, I desperately wanted a family. So, I justified his erratic behavior as long as

I could. By the grace of God and great friends, I chose to end the relationship with him. I knew that

raising my daughter alone would be better than exposing her to a toxic homelife relationship.

When I ended the relationship with him, and he no longer had control of my mind, his web of lies and

deceit spread like a wildfire. He filed dozens of false police reports. He call CPS so many times, I nearly

came to know most of the staff by name. The passive aggressive abuse was so bad, I had to trespass him

from my apartment on more than one occasion.

In 2019 I filed for sole custody of my daughter. The court allowed him to have bi-monthly visitation and

ordered him to pay child support. To date, he owes me over 10K in support. A few weeks ago, due to

child support delinquency, the state was set to suspend his driver’s license. Just days after that notice,

he called CPS to report yet another false claim. He was allowed to pick up my daughter that day for his

regularly scheduled weekend visit.

For over two weeks, I had no contact with my daughter or knowledge of her whereabouts. I called

everyone I knew. I sought help from local police and every government agency I knew. No one could or

would help me. My only hope was a powerful attorney who would not fall for his manipulation or

believe his lies.

But great attorneys are expensive. My family has levered everything we have to try to raise the 10K

needed to fight this man in court. Currently, I am over 5K short. I need your help. My daughter needs

your help.

Foremost, please pray. Please pray and consider donating to this Go Fund Me. Every single dollar raised

will be used to protect my daughter.

Thank you for your prayers and support. I love and value each of you.

-Cassie

https://www..com/f/g9uz3a-help-cassie-with-legal-fees

 

[tlcya]

thank you mods and admins for allowing us to openly discuss the contents of that . My heart breaks for Cassie. She did all the things you are supposed to do, she left him, she abided by the custody arrangement that surely continued to place her in danger. She had good family support. She tried to protect herself via the legal system. Even as he was using CPS to harass her and muddy the waters. She tried so hard to get away. And now Saylor has no mama and a murderer for a father. Just so dang sad.

 

[Cloudydiamond]

So, it's my understanding that his official residence is AL since news sources say he was recently working and residing there? Also, what is his connection to the house? Can anyone share that me without sleuthing the residents?

 

[Warwick7]

Yah, we knew that was inevitable because his motive was the custody battle. So in his sick mind he had to get rid of his ex.

Just like Patrick Frazee....
:0(

 

[Warwick7]

**** MODERATOR APPROVED -- ONE TIME ONLY EXCEPTION TO LINK BELOW***

Last August, Cassie's sister (Raeann Carli) was the organizer of a crowdfund seeking donations for legal fees for Cassie's efforts to obtain full custody of her child. The letter below-- in Cassie's own words, was also posted on the funding site.

Although the crowdfunding sites are not approved to link on Websleuths, this was Moderator approved for a one-time-only exception specifically to share the victim's letter that provides a window to the history of her relationship with MS, the father of her child, and her alleged killer.
https://www..com/f/g9uz3a-help-cassie-with-legal-fees
______________________

Hello Dear Family and Friends,

I am writing to you today with a heavy heart. I never imagined that I would be in a position in my life

where it would be necessary to write this letter to you. Nonetheless, here I am.

So where do I begin? Let me begin at the beginning. In July of 2017, on the heals of one of the most

traumatic events in my life, I met the man who became the father of my precious daughter. Like so

many relationships I know, I was swept up in hidden deceit known as charm. This man was a master at

the game of manipulation and though I could see all the warning signs of an abuser, I believed his

excuses and became stuck in his web of narcissistic lies. Just months into the relationship, I discovered

that I was pregnant. Let me be clear, I have never regretted my decision to become a mother. Saylor is

truly the light and love of my life.

During my pregnancy, this man’s abusive control and manipulation escalated. But having battled

infertility in my first marriage, I desperately wanted a family. So, I justified his erratic behavior as long as

I could. By the grace of God and great friends, I chose to end the relationship with him. I knew that

raising my daughter alone would be better than exposing her to a toxic homelife relationship.

When I ended the relationship with him, and he no longer had control of my mind, his web of lies and

deceit spread like a wildfire. He filed dozens of false police reports. He call CPS so many times, I nearly

came to know most of the staff by name. The passive aggressive abuse was so bad, I had to trespass him

from my apartment on more than one occasion.

In 2019 I filed for sole custody of my daughter. The court allowed him to have bi-monthly visitation and

ordered him to pay child support. To date, he owes me over 10K in support. A few weeks ago, due to

child support delinquency, the state was set to suspend his driver’s license. Just days after that notice,

he called CPS to report yet another false claim. He was allowed to pick up my daughter that day for his

regularly scheduled weekend visit.

For over two weeks, I had no contact with my daughter or knowledge of her whereabouts. I called

everyone I knew. I sought help from local police and every government agency I knew. No one could or

would help me. My only hope was a powerful attorney who would not fall for his manipulation or

believe his lies.

But great attorneys are expensive. My family has levered everything we have to try to raise the 10K

needed to fight this man in court. Currently, I am over 5K short. I need your help. My daughter needs

your help.

Foremost, please pray. Please pray and consider donating to this Go Fund Me. Every single dollar raised

will be used to protect my daughter.

Thank you for your prayers and support. I love and value each of you.

-Cassie

https://www..com/f/g9uz3a-help-cassie-with-legal-fees

All I can say is...OMG!