This week, authorities in Florida have launched a search of a property in Hernando County, hoping to uncover more victims linked to Billy Mansfield, a notorious serial killer. This search comes decades after an initial investigation led to the discovery of four bodies connected to his family.

Kicking off on Monday, the operation involves collaboration among investigators from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the State Attorney’s Office. They are focusing their excavation efforts at Dry Creek Ranch. This move follows alerts from cadaver dogs during a recent search, raising suspicions of more undiscovered remains.

As reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay, investigators have been scouring wooded areas near the ranch property, intensifying their search for potential evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.

This search initiative is part of longstanding efforts by authorities to revisit cases related to Mansfield, particularly focusing on the property on Centerwood Avenue, where his family once resided.

According to Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, Billy Mansfield and his brother, Gary Mansfield, traveled to California in the late 1970s, and became involved in a homicide investigation there.

Information developed during that case led Hernando County investigators to obtain a search warrant for property connected to the Mansfield family, where four bodies were discovered in the early 1980s.

Two of the four victims were identified relatively quickly, while investigators later identified a third. Authorities have recently developed genetic genealogy leads that could help identify the remaining victim and locate surviving relatives.

Authorities have long suspected there may be additional victims.

Nienhuis said Billy Mansfield previously indicated there could be more bodies in Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties, but investigators were unable to reach an agreement that would have provided additional information in exchange for reduced charges.

The sheriff’s office reopened portions of the investigation roughly three years ago, reviewing thousands of case files and conducting interviews with Mansfield with assistance from federal and state authorities.

Investigators previously excavated another location identified during the review but found no human remains. A continued examination of records eventually led authorities to search additional areas north and west of prior search sites.

Cadaver dogs searched an area near Fort Dade Avenue and Citrus Way on Monday but found no indication of buried human remains. At Dry Creek Ranch, however, the dogs produced enough alerts to prompt investigators to begin digging.

“We’re cautiously optimistic we might actually find something,” Nienhuis said.

The sheriff noted that any future prosecution is unlikely because of the age of the case, but said investigators remain committed to identifying potential victims and providing answers to families who may have spent decades wondering what happened to their loved ones.

The search remains ongoing.

Mansfield’s name resurfaced nationally last year, after he confessed to the killing of an Ohio teenager whose spring break disappearance had remained unsolved for decades.

In January 2024, Mansfield confessed to killing 18-year-old Carol Ann Barrett more than four decades earlier.

Barrett’s body was found in a ditch along Interstate 95 in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 24, 1980. A day earlier, the Ohio native had been enjoying spring break in Daytona Beach when she was kidnapped from her motel.

For decades, investigators had little more than Barrett’s body and a composite sketch of a suspect based on interviews with her friends. The case remained unsolved until investigators revived it around 2017.

Mansfield eventually confessed to Barrett’s abduction and murder after roughly two years of interviews with investigators. He was 24 years old at the time of her death.

Mansfield is currently serving a life sentence in California and four concurrent life sentences in Florida in connection with the murders of five women and girls between 1975 and 1980.

He buried several of his victims beneath his Spring Hill home on Florida’s Gulf Coast, about 2½ hours from Daytona Beach, where Barrett was abducted.

Mansfield pleaded guilty to a California murder to avoid the death penalty in Florida and has been incarcerated since 1982.

In a significant move during the 2026 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards have made a bold statement by selecting AJ Dybantsa, the standout player from BYU, as their number one overall pick.

As a forward, Dybantsa impressed during his singular college season, leading the nation with an average of 25.5 points per game. His performance was complemented by his contributions of 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 35 games, showcasing his all-around abilities on the court.

This historic choice, made at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, marks a milestone for BYU as Dybantsa becomes the first player from the university to be drafted first overall in the NBA.

Interviewed by ESPN’s Lisa Salters and flanked by his sisters, Dybantsa expressed what this moment means to him by saying, “It just means a lot. I have a lot more work to do,” emphasizing his dedication and strong work ethic, which have brought him this far.

Joining forces in Washington with established stars such as Trae Young and Anthony Davis, Dybantsa becomes a key part of the Wizards’ strategy to end their championship drought dating back to 1978. The franchise is hopeful that this combination of talents will propel them back into the NBA’s spotlight in the near future.

The Wizards finished last season with a 17-65 record – their worst in decades – and have not made the playoffs since 2021. But with Young having signed a four-year, $212 million extension just 24 hours before the draft, and Davis committed to the franchise, there is genuine belief in Washington that a playoff push is not far away. 

Young himself said recently: ‘Imagine the Wizards as the No.1 team in the East next year. Trust me, I’m probably just entering my prime.’ 

Dybantsa, who is also a three-time gold medallist with USA Basketball, gives that project a potential superstar to build around for the next decade. 

At 6ft 9in with a seven-foot wingspan and a scorer’s instinct that scouts have likened to Tracy McGrady, Dybantsa is the kind of talent that can invigorate a franchise. 

While Dybantsa was the favourite to go first, he was not without competition. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson was considered by some to be the superior prospect.

Peterson’s camp had expressed confidence in his chances of going number one right up until draft night, with the 247Sports top-ranked high school recruit in the country ultimately having to settle for second pick.

And, holding the second pick, the Utah Jazz opted for Peterson. The 6ft 4in guard averaged 20.2 points at Kansas, though injury and illness limited him to 24 of a possible 35 games during his freshman season.

The Memphis Grizzlies, picking third, took Duke forward Cameron Boozer – son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer. The 6ft 8in freshman averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds at Duke, earning AP National Player of the Year honours.

The Chicago Bulls rounded out the top four by selecting North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the fourth pick. The 6ft 8in freshman is one of the most athletic players in this year’s Draft class, though his college season was cut short by injury. 

The Los Angeles Clippers took Georgia Tech guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth pick. 

A crafty scorer with a strong feel for the game, Wagler was the overwhelming favourite for the Clippers’ selection throughout the pre-draft process. 

The Brooklyn Nets followed by selecting Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. sixth. The 6ft 5in combo guard had surged up draft boards in the weeks leading up to the draft.

The Sacramento Kings then selected one of the most dynamic offensive guards in the class, taking Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh pick. 

Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists at Arkansas and was widely regarded as the best pure scoring point guard available.

The Atlanta Hawks then took Houston guard Kingston Flemings eighth – a sharp shooter who impressed at the draft combine with top-notch agility scores.

With the ninth pick, the Dallas Mavericks selected Michigan centre Morez Johnson Jr. – a surprise selection at this stage, with Johnson having been projected by most analysts to fall into the mid-to-late lottery.

The Milwaukee Bucks rounded out the top ten by taking Arizona guard Brayden Burries – a two-way guard who shot 39 per cent from three at Arizona.

The Golden State Warriors then selected Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg eleventh.

The Dominican Republic international was a key part of Michigan’s run to the national championship this season and brings major versatility to Golden State’s frontcourt.

The Oklahoma City Thunder rounded out the 12th pick by selecting Michigan centre Aday Mara. The 7ft 3in Spaniard is one of the most imposing physical presences in the class and gives OKC another intriguing young big man to develop.

It also proved to be a historic night for national champions Michigan. The Wolverines had never had more than one player selected in the lottery – on Tuesday night they had three, with Morez Johnson Jr., Lendeborg and Mara all going in the top 12.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Basketball fans turned their eyes to New York City on Tuesday night as the eagerly anticipated NBA Draft got underway.

The Chicago Bulls are making significant moves to kickstart their rebuilding process, armed with two valuable First Round picks. This year, they have placed their bets on Caleb Wilson from Carolina and Dailyn Swain from Texas.

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Wilson, a big man with an impressive pedigree, was the Bulls’ fourth overall pick. The team has had its sights set on him for some time, evident by the fact that his only pre-draft consultation was with the Bulls and their new Head Coach Tiago Splitter last week. It appears Chicago was the perfect fit for Wilson all along.

Their strategic choices continued as the Bulls went back on the clock for the 15th overall selection, adding Swain to their roster.

This draft was also a revealing moment for Bulls fans who are just getting accustomed to the strategic decisions of Bryson Graham, the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, along with Coach Splitter. Tuesday night shed light on the new leadership’s vision for the team’s future.

The draft comes after Graham made his first trade as vice president, acquiring center Nic Claxton from Brooklyn on Monday night as part of a three-team trade that brings a starter at a good price, which is a strong start.

There is no question that they need players who can make an impact, and with two picks in the top 15, starting at fourth overall, that seemed inevitable.

And as the stage was set at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, buzz continued around the Bucks’ trade of Giannis Atentakumpo to Miami late Monday night.

The move altered competition in the division, but not mock draft speculation, where the Bulls were said to be among the many with high interest in Duke’s Cam Boozer, the son of former Bull Carlos Boozer.

But Memphis ended up taking Boozer with their third overall overall pick.

The Second Round of the NBA draft begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

UFC heavyweight fighter Josh Hokit finds himself at the center of a storm following a controversial remark that cast a shadow over his triumph at UFC Freedom 250, held on the iconic White House lawn.

During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hokit staunchly defended the post-fight comment that many perceived as disparaging toward former First Lady Michelle Obama. Hokit, however, maintains that he intended no offense.

“I thought I was giving her a compliment,” Hokit asserted, hoping to clarify his intentions.

Host Ariel Helwani pressed further, questioning how Hokit could perceive his words as complimentary. The explanation that followed seemed only to fan the flames of the controversy.

“Michelle Obama being a man, that’s like, she knows how to deal with adversity. She knows how to work hard like a man when the times get tough,” Hokit elaborated, attempting to redefine his comment as one of respect for her resilience and work ethic.

The remark stems from Hokit’s June 14 victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250, where he closed his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan by declaring, “Michelle Obama is a man. Am I right, America?”

The comment immediately generated backlash, including criticism from UFC CEO Dana White.

White told the Los Angeles Times he is “completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s families,” adding, “Everyone knows my position on free speech but I hate that kind of nonsense.”

Hokit, however, said he viewed the moment as an opportunity to make a statement about free speech.

“I thought it was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with the freedom of speech,” he said.

Asked whether he regretted the comment, Hokit made it clear he has no plans to apologize.

“That’s one thing about my career,” Hokit said. “You’ll never hear me backtrack from what I say.”

Despite the criticism, Hokit remains one of the UFC’s fastest-rising heavyweight contenders, improving to 4-0 in the promotion with his win over Lewis.

A shocking incident unfolded in Florida when a man was arrested for the alleged abduction of a teenage girl, whom he reportedly concealed inside a clothes dryer at his residence in Key Largo, according to officials.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office announced that Christopher Michael Veit, age 53, now faces several serious charges. These include kidnapping, false imprisonment, and engaging in unlawful sexual acts with a minor.

The situation came to light on Sunday at approximately 11:45 a.m. when authorities were called to a home on Miramar Drive. The teenage victim managed to contact emergency services, claiming she was being held against her will.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered the young girl concealed inside a clothes dryer, as per the investigation findings.

Authorities said Veit restrained the girl before placing her inside the dryer.

Investigators said Veit allegedly took the girl’s cellphone after she said she wanted to leave the home.

The victim was found without life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

Authorities said the girl is not from Key Largo, though her connection to Veit was not immediately clear.

Investigators said they uncovered evidence of an ongoing sexual relationship between Veit and the victim.

The teenage girl was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before being released into the custody of a family member, officials said.

The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified following the incident.

Detectives responded to the scene and collected evidence, officials said, including “several sheets” of counterfeit currency.

The U.S. Secret Service was notified upon the discovery, authorities said.

The case remains under investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming.

England’s national football team found solace in the company of their partners after a stalemate with Ghana left their World Cup hopes hanging. The squad managed only a goalless draw in what was their second match of the tournament.

Captain Harry Kane and his team struggled to find a breakthrough against the 65th-ranked Ghanaian side. Kane missed a crucial opportunity to seal the game, sending the ball soaring over the goal in the closing moments.

The Three Lions’ efforts didn’t satisfy some of the 30,000 dedicated fans who braved rainy weather, as a few voiced their disappointment with chants about the expenses of attending the match.

In the midst of the crowd at Boston Stadium, Jordan Pickford’s wife, Megan, was spotted giving the goalkeeper a supportive kiss as the game concluded with the final whistle.

Prior to kickoff, Megan appeared cheerful, engaging with cameras by waving and blowing kisses. She sported a white mini dress paired with a poncho to brace the weather.

Bukayo Saka also sought comfort from his fiancée Tolami Benson, 25, who donned a custom England outfit. The pair were pictured embracing in the family box at the end of the match. 

Other WAGs in attendance included Ashlyn Castro, the 28-year-old girlfriend of midfielder Jude Bellingham, and defender John Stones’ wife Olivia, who wore a Three Lions top. 

Ellie Watkins, wife of striker Ollie Watkins, also donned an England cap, and was seen cheerily waving at the camera.

While last night’s result was a huge disappointment for fans, England are still expected to get through to the knockout stages of the World Cup as they are heavy favourites to beat Panama in their final group game on Saturday. 

With kick-off not until 9pm, millions packed into pubs across the country to watch the game. 

Thousands of venues were allowed to extend their opening hours so fans could enjoy the match with a drink, with projections saying 25 million pints would be pulled.

Millions more cheered on Kane and his team from home, watching the coverage on BBC1. 

TV insiders had expected ratings to soar after England’s thrilling 4-2 victory in their opening World Cup match against Croatia last week. 

But while fans in England battled the heatwave, those who’d made the journey to Boston had to wade through puddles and dodge heavy downpours before the game.

After the searing heat and humidity of Dallas, where England kicked off their campaign, the Boston clash took place under typically English leaden skies.

Among those splashing through the rain outside the 65,000-capacity stadium in Foxborough was James Reid, 35, from Guildford in Surrey, who said: ‘I can’t believe everyone in England is getting the sunshine. 

People in Boston are saying we’ve brought them the British weather.’

David Beckham cheered on the team in a navy suit as he joined best pal Dave Gardner to watch the game.

Beckham’s son Cruz, 21, and girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30, were also spotted in the stands.

US officials have faced criticism for hiking the price of public transport, with train fares costing $80 (£60) instead of the usual $20 (£15). 

But England supporters copied their Scottish counterparts by hiring a fleet of iconic yellow school buses to take them to the stadium some 35 miles from downtown Boston and 20 miles from Providence.

At least a dozen coaches and school buses transported fans from Providence to the ground with fans paying a bargain $35 (£26) for the return journey.

Among them was retired British Army officer Lt Colonel Nick Rowles, 68, his wife Gail, 67, travelling with friends. 

The couple estimate the trip is costing over £10,000, but they have managed to bag cheaper seats as members of the England Supporters Travel Club.

‘I doubt we will drink Providence dry like the Scots, maybe the younger ones will but we are happy to have a nice, quiet relaxed evening,’ he said.

Paul Scott, 48, is spending £10,000 to watch all three of England’s group matches – a Christmas gift from his wife, Claire. 

He said: ‘She knows just how much I’ve wanted to come here.’

The couple run a builders’ merchant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Mr Scott said: ‘I love America, and the welcome here has been phenomenal.’

Elsewhere, a group of eight fans from Stoke-on-Trent paid £1,900 for two taxis to get them to Boston after their flights from Montreal were cancelled.

England fans booed Ghana’s Thomas Partey – an alleged rapist – before the whistle was blown. 

Partey, 33, who used to play for Arsenal, was charged with seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault, and he faces trial in London. 

The midfielder, who has since moved to Spanish side Villarreal, denies the charges.

TV pictures cut away from the handshakes as Partey passed each England player. Defender Djed Spence appeared to refuse to shake hands with him.

The England fans also booed the hydration breaks – taken in the rain. 

England’s next game is against Panama on Saturday in the stadium in New Jersey, also the venue for the World Cup final on July 19.