A Mississippi man has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of 38-year-old Joyce Gomez, a woman reported missing who was then found dead in a wooded area.

Brett Huntley Keel is being held on a $1.5 million bond, set by Harrison County Justice Court Judge Diane Ladner.

According to police, Gomez was last seen with Keel around 10:52 p.m. on Friday, April 25, near 100 Main Street in Bay St. Louis. Earlier that night, she had been working at The Whiskey Bar in downtown Pass Christian, where Keel was also present.

Gomez and Keel had reportedly dated in the past.

Witnesses later saw Gomez getting into a truck with Keel. When she didn’t return home to her two children and elderly father, friends knew something was wrong.

On Sunday, April 27, investigators found Gomez’s body in the woods off West Wittman Road. Her cause of death has not been released, but officials say she did not appear to have arrived there on her own. An autopsy is pending.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Pass Christian Police at 228-452-3300 or Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.