Body found identified as Heather King; Father speaks out

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BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.- While our WINK News cameras were rolling, Troy King picked up the phone. It was a detective confirming the body he found was indeed his daughter.

Tuesday, King found his 21-year-old daughter’s body deep in the woods off Busch Boulevard.

“No man should have to go through what I did,” said King.

It was tough to go back to the day of her disappearance and the four days she was missing.

“I honestly think it was shock,” King said of his calm reaction on the 911 call. “I think I am breaking down every day.”

According to Heather King’s missing report, she was at the hotel for a birthday party after her mother dropped her off.

Later that night and into the next day, King says Heather’s mom began to panic when someone found Heather’s purse and phone but not her.

“Heather never went anywhere without her phone,” said King. “Her purse and pocket book were found at the hotel and that’s why her mom said something was wrong.”

Four days they waited for her to come home. When she didn’t, Troy King went looking. He looked behind the hotels, walking into the woods.

He says buzzards were circling and he found the body in just 15 minutes.

“It was a very tough situation. I walked up and I knew it was a human. As I got closer, I seen a tattoo that I knew very well; it was a nautical star on her chest and that is when I walked away.”

King believes someone at the party that night knows what happened and how his daughter ended up in the woods.

“I have heard when she left the party, she seemed to be under the influence,” said King. “I think there was someone involved, maybe not responsible but involved. Maybe, they were there and instead of calling 911, they just wanted to leave. The cause of death may be drugs, it maybe foul play. I don’t know. But I am sure there were drugs involved.”

It’s a tragic disturbing ending to a 21-year-old who had tried to overcome her struggles.

“Everyone who knew Heather loved her.”

Investigators are still waiting for a cause of death.

There will be a memorial service for Heather King on June 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will be held at Barefoot Boat Club at 5025 Bonita Beach Road.

The family has also set up an account for donations to help bury their daughter. If you want to donate there is an account set-up with Bank of America under her father Troy King’s name.

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