HERNANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a murder investigation that happened in Hernando in 2021.

On Sept. 9, 2021, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division received a call regarding a vehicle that appeared to have crashed in a wooded area on North Alabaster Drive.

At the scene, deputies found a 2020 white Dodge pickup truck in the woods next to the road. Deputies observed bullet holes in the outside of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, deputies found the body of 20-year-old Marquel “Manny” Murray with several suspected gunshot wounds.

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, this week they arrested Thomas Paul Smith, 29, and Dmitry Williams Growdon, 29.

“No amount of time can diminish the importance of justice. Our hearts go out to the Murray family, who have been waiting for this moment,” said CCSO Sgt. Thomas Dowling. “This arrest proves that criminals can’t hide forever, and we will not rest until those who commit such acts of violence are held accountable. We will continue to work closely with our partners at the Fifth Judicial Circuit to bring this case to a conclusion.”

Smith and Growdon are charged with third-degree murder with a firearm, criminal conspiracy while armed, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Anyone with more information on this case should reach out to the CCSO Major Case Section at 352-726-1121.