Remains identified as Disney worker who vanished 3 years ago: Wife clams up and refuses to cooperate, police say
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Human remains found in a Florida backyard in March have been identified as a man who was last seen in 2015.

Orlando Sentinel reports that Michael Shaver, who worked as a Disney technician when he disappeared three years ago, was identified as the remains detectives found in March, inside a backyard fire pit of a home he shared with his wife, Laurie Shaver.

Shaver was reported missing in February 2018, after a family friend call police and told them he had not heard from Shaver in several years. At that point, officers made their to a home in Clermont, off of the 9800 block of Sandy Pines Road, where Shaver was last seen. Shaver’s wife, Laurie Shaver, still lives in the home.

When detectives arrived to the residence, Laurie Shaver admitted she last saw her husband three years prior. It’s still unclear why she didn’t report her husband missing, but a family member, Stacie, reportedly said they thought they could find him without help, according to FOX13.

While searching for Shaver, officers noticed a cement slab in the fire pit, located in the back yard of the home.

According to Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. John Herrell, officers began digging into the concrete slab and found human remains in March after obtaining a search warrant. Laurie Shaver, who was cooperative while authorities searched the inside of the home, reportedly clammed up and refused to cooperate when officers began looking around the back yard.

“Upon speaking to her for a few minutes the conversation ended up making its way outside the home at which time she stopped being cooperative and she requested her attorney,” Herrell stated.

Herrell added that at this time, no one has been arrested in connection with Shaver’s death, although Laurie Shaver is considered a suspect.

“The investigation is still very much active and ongoing,” Herrell added.

According to Click Orlando, neighbor Curt Ruhl told authorities Shaver used to work a lot in his yard, then simply vanished. Ruhl said not long after the victim’s disappearance, he spotted a new man moving into the home.

“Then all of a sudden he was gone, and some other guy moved in.”

Shaver’s remains are currently at the Lake County Medical Examiner’s Office, where further testing will potentially reveal his cause of death.

The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.

[Feature Photo: Michael Shaver/Lake County Sheriff’s Office]