Two years after a Florida man was killed on vacation and placed in a canal, his wife and two sons have been arrested, authorities said in a press release.
His wife, Cindy Rainey, and sons, Bailey Rainey and Jack Rainey, are facing tampering with evidence charges, according to the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives found 52-year-old David Rainey dead on July 25, 2021, submerged in a canal behind a home he and his family had rented in Suwannee, which is on the southern end of Florida’s Big Bend region. He had been stabbed multiple times and his death was ruled a homicide.
His wife had reported him missing that morning after he had walked out of the home the night before following an argument the two of them had. He left behind his glasses, wallet and cell phone. Authorities found his body after an “extensive search.”
The press release did not say who detectives believe killed David Rainey or why or whether additional charges are forthcoming.
Deputies on Wednesday arrested Cindy and Bailey Rainey in Flagler County and Jack Rainey in Orlando.
“Sheriff Darby Butler would like to thank The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of the State Attorney, Third Circuit, for assisting the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office with these arrests,” the press release said.
According to his obituary, David and Cindy Rainey were married for 21 years and lived in Palm Coast, which is on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Sunshine State. He was born in Redlands, California, and later graduated welding school in New York. He worked as a welder on steam and gas turbines, the obituary said.
“David traveled all over the United States and the world for his work. He was respected by his peers for his excellent skills, work ethic and dedication to getting the job done right,” his obit said.
He was a “natural athlete” which his two sons inherited. The sons played baseball from T-ball all the way through high school varsity baseball. The family enjoyed “family trips to Alaska, Cooperstown NY, The White House, and NY City to name just a few,” according to the obit.
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