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A man was found dead after traveling to meet someone he had just met on a dating app, according to relatives.
The 24-year-old Atlanta resident had gone missing earlier this year after never boarding his bus back home.
His aunt, Monica Tucker, told WXIA that the family had gone looking for the mystery man after her nephew, Nicholas Anderson, never came back.
But once they questioned him, his story seemed implausible, she says.
“First, he said he didn’t see him. Then he said he went to the hotel to watch movies,” Tucker told the outlet.
“And then he says he took them to go get cigarettes, and then he kept saying something about a pier.”
Weeks after his disappearance, a body was found near Jacksonville, Florida.
Last week, police identified the body as Anderson’s.
He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia years earlier, according to Tucker,
“He would never hurt himself, and he knows how to swim. So, there’s no way.”
“I think it’s foul play,” Tucker said.
The cause of the man’s death is currently still unknown.
“Once we got the information that it was him, we had to call family members to let them know,”” his aunt said.
The department is now looking for clues after clearing the dating app man, according to Tucker.
“CCSO detectives are still seeking information about Mr. Anderson and circumstances leading up to the discovery of his body; specifically, persons he encountered, his activities, and places he visited from April 1 to April 7, 2025,” the department wrote on Facebook.
“Mr. Anderson’s family has been notified of the positive identification.”
The agency also added that they would give $5,000 to those who submit credible tips that lead to significant advances.
“It broke us. It was hard,” Tucker said.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office statement
After the body was confirmed to be Anderson, the police department wrote to Facebook:
“Fleming Island, FL- On May 7, 2025, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office began investigating circumstances surrounding skeletal remains found near the bulkhead of a private residence on the St. Johns River in Fleming Island. In cooperation with the District 4 Medical Examiner’s Office and with the assistance of the community, the remains were identified to be that of Nicholas Lamont Anderson (24) of Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Anderson’s family has been notified of the positive identification. While this is a considerable step forward in this investigation, CCSO detectives are still seeking information about Mr. Anderson and circumstances leading up to the discovery of his body; specifically,
the persons he encountered, his activities, and places he visited from April 1 to April 7, 2025. Anyone with information regarding this is encouraged to submit a tip through the SaferWatch app. You can remain anonymous and earn up to a $5,000 reward if the information leads to an arrest or significantly advances the case. You can also contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office directly at (904)264-6512.”
“It was very hard for us.”
His relative wrote on a GoFundMe that he was “so much more than the tragedy surrounding his passing.”
“His presence left a lasting impact on those who knew and loved him.”
