SJSO positively identifies skeletal remains as missing Volusia County man

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- Skeletal remains found earlier this year near McCullough Creek in Southwest St. Johns County have been positively identified as those of a man missing since December 2001. The remains were identified in November through DNA testing as Leigh Hobart Abel Jr., according to a news release from St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw. Abel was 78 at the time of his disappearance on December 20, 2001. Anyone with information concerning the disappearance of Leigh Abel is asked to call Detective Eugene Tolbert with the St. Johns County Sheriff's office at 904-209-3985. To remain anonymous, and potentially receive a cash reward, you may contact Crime Stoppers of N.E. Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS.