Authorities in Georgia say an elderly Clayton County man was reported missing just hours before his dismembered body was found in the yard of a neighbor.
According to Inside Edition, 25-year-old Christian Ponce-Martinez was arrested on suspicion of murder after police made the discovery last week.
The victim’s wife, Lula, reported him missing on Thursday, according to police.
After reviewing footage from a nearby surveillance camera, investigators say they identified Ponce-Martinez approaching his neighbor’s home the same day.
Upon responding to the scene, authorities say they followed evidence from Page’s home to the yard where they found his remains under a tarp, according to WFTV.
“The officers went to the back of the residence and located the offender hiding under a couch, acting very nervous and suspicious,” said Clayton County Police Maj. Craig Hammer. “Officers then noticed a trail of blood. They followed it and it was Robert Page’s dismembered remains.”
Reports indicate the neighbors were believed to have engaged in an argument prior to the elder man’s death.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and is expected to face criminal charges including malice murder. He did not make an initial plea.
As of the latest updates available, he remained behind bars without bail.
A Clayton County Police Department statement indicated that the suspect had moved to the neighborhood from Mexico a few months ago.
In addition to his wife, the victim leaves behind two children and two grandchildren.
One grandson spoke to WSB in the wake of his family’s loss.
“He’s irreplaceable,” said Bobby Austin. “The personality he had was priceless. Nobody will ever be able to top him.”
[Featured image: Christian Ponce-Martinez and Robert Page, Clayton County Police]