LeFlore County, Okla., authorities confirmed Wednesday a body found in a pond west of Talihina is that of a missing 19-year-old man.
Sheriff Rob Seale says the body of Joshua Teves was discovered Monday. He was reported missing last week. Tuesday the Sheriff’s Office announced the death was being investigated as a homicide.
"I didn't believe it, thought it was a nightmare," said Teves' brother Isaac Oxly.
"It was the body of a white male dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and was in about three inches of water in the pond," said Sheriff Rob Seale.
The body was sent to the state medical examiner's office to be identified and to determine the cause of death, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Neighbors near the pond said their area is normally quiet.
"I would suspect that it wasn't anybody from this neighborhood," said neighbor Mike Doyle.
Seale said it is unclear how long the man's body was in the pond.
"With the water temperatures and cool temperatures that we've had, it has a profound affect on the decomposition of the body," Seale said.
The family said they will rely on prayer to get through this difficult time.
"Just to keep strong and continue what I'm doing. He was going to be an uncle," Oxly said.
Anyone with any information on Teves’ death is encouraged to contact the LeFlore County Sheriff's Office.
