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MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The human remains found in an alligator-infested canal Thursday have been identified as belonging to a St. Lucie County man, according to Martin County deputies.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said Friday that detectives found an arm, hand, and part of a leg after an alligator was spotted “guarding the body part” on the Hungryland Preserve, about 30 miles northwest of West Palm Beach.

A second body part was found in a different canal about a mile away. Deputies said the remains were found in what appeared to be a shallow grave.

Using fingerprints from the severed arm, a medical examiner identified the remains as belonging to Dustin Davis Mills, 42, of St. Lucie County.

Mills, authorities say, served time in prison for manufacturing, sale and delivery of marijuana; trafficking in illegal substances; resisting arrest with violence; and battery on law enforcement or firefighter. He was released in February 2020.

Dustin Mills (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

Mills is believed to be the victim of a homicide and his remains had signs of being “removed with a sharp instrument,” according to deputies.

The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information on Mills’ death to call deputies at 772-220-7060.