CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - The body discovered at Ancarrow’s Landing in South Richmond Thursday afternoon is that of missing Chesterfield gas station owner Paresh Patel. A top investigator confirmed to CBS 6 News that positive identification was confirmed through fingerprints. The source told CBS 6 reporter Angela Pellerano that Patel's death is being ruled as a homicide.
Richmond Police confirmed the information later Friday afternoon.
Patel was abducted Sunday morning as he opened the Raceway gas station he owned along the 5600 block of Jefferson Davis Hwy.
On Thursday, Richmond Police spokesman Gene Lepley said a city worker found the body around 4:00 p.m. behind a water treatment plant across the James River from Rockett’s Landing. Richmond Police called Chesterfield Police to the scene to determine if the body was connected to the Patel case.
Friday night the family of Patel closed the business.
On Saturday family and friends will hold a prayer vigil from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. at the Indian Temple on 7600 block Jeff Davis Hwy.
Richmond Police asked anyone with information to call the Department Tip Line at (804) 514-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or Crime Solvers at 748-0660.
