TITUSVILLE, Fla. — Investigators with the Titusville Police Department announced Thursday afternoon that burnt human remains found on March 4 have been identified as belonging to 72-year-old Jesse Kirk.

Kirk, a longtime Titusville resident, has been missing since March 4.

What You Need To Know

  • Titusville resident Jesse Kirk, 72, was reported missing on March 4

  • On Thursday, investigators say burnt human remains found just south of Haulover Canal that same day have been identified as Kirk's

  • Former Brevard County Sheriff’s Office corrections deputy David Armstrong Barber, 35, is in custody on charges of stealing Kirk's Lincoln SUV and loitering around her residence

  • Investigators say Barber was previously in a relationship with one of Kirk's family members, and he has been named the sole person of interest in connection with her death
  • Anyone with information on her disappearance is asked to call the police department or crimeline at 1-800-423-8477

Police said Kirk was reported missing around 9 a.m. on March 4 after a friend said she did not show up for their morning walk, which was unusual.

Hours after she was reported missing, Kirk's white Lincoln SUV was found fully engulfed in flames near State Road 50 and State Road 520 in Orange County at around 1:09 p.m., investigators said. That location is about a 26-minute drive from Kirk’s home, according to Google Maps.

At 2:45 p.m., severely burnt human remains were found just south of Haulover Canal. Because the remains were so badly burnt, Titusville Police Sgt. Bryan Nelson said a positive identification could not be made until Thursday.

Around the same time the remains were found, David Armstrong Barber, 35, of West Palm Beach, was arrested near Kirk’s condo in the 3200 block of South Washington on charges of loitering and prowling. He was also charged with grand theft auto in connection with Kirk's missing SUV, Titusville Police Sgt. Bryan Nelson said during a press conference Thursday.

When arrested, "he had injuries consistent with high heat, and burns," Nelson said.

Police reported that Barber was in an estranged relationship with one of Kirk’s family members. That woman accused Barber of stalking her after they ended their three-year relationship in July 2024, according to a Rockledge Police Department arrest warrant affidavit filed in December 2024.

Investigators say Barber is currently the sole person of interest in Kirk's disappearance and death.

The Brevard Sheriff’s Office said Barber had voluntarily resigned after working at the agency from 2018 to 2022. The Sheriff’s Office said during his time of employment he received no formal discipline. 

Investigators are asking anyone with information on Kirk's disappearance or death to call the Titusville Police Department or the Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.