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Miami reports on the murder of a woman from Brevard who was found in a lagoon in 2000

It was a sad, moving story that began when a retired Brevard County District Court judge made a gruesome discovery on the shore of his riverfront home on Merritt Island on July 24, 2000.

What the judge initially thought was a dead manatee found in the warm waters of the Indian River Lagoon that summer turned out to be the body of a young Brevard woman who had died in one of the county's most gruesome murders of the past quarter century. The murder drew forensic experts and gave FLORIDA TODAY investigators and reporters a deep look into youth culture at the beach.

More than two decades later, the gripping story of Misty Morse's life and tragic death is the focus of episode 8 of CBS's “The Real CSI: Miami,” which first aired Aug. 14. This episode of the crime series, titled “Lady in the Lagoon,” is available on demand on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ and features interviews with Brevard County Sheriff's Office investigators and Morse's father, Robert. Morse's mother, Linda Morse, died in 2017.

Misty Morse, a waitress from Indian Harbour Beach, was 22 at the time of her death. When her decomposed body was found, partially bound with rope, the investigation revealed that her mouth and nose had been taped shut; her body was tied to plastic bags. Detectives from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office worked on the case for two years, talking to friends and family, before uncovering a relationship the Satellite Beach High graduate had with Brent Huck, a former Navy Seal.

Huck, a charter boat captain, was arrested on October 23, 2002, and convicted of Morse's murder in 2003. He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences for murder and kidnapping in a Florida prison.

Former reporter Corey Schubert, who now lives in Phoenix and works in public relations and marketing for a nonprofit health organization, covered Huck's trial for FLORIDA TODAY. He recalls the impact the story had on his life as a young journalist and on the community.

What significance does reporting on this case have for you as a journalist?

This was definitely one of the biggest stories of my journalistic career. There were so many unforgettable elements to covering this case.

There was the chilling letter Misty's mother wrote to FLORIDA TODAY, hoping to revive the case when she felt it was stalling. I remember the ending especially well: “She hated being cold and wet. He left her in the river.”

It was an ordeal for Misty's family, friends and investigators, spending over a year believing they knew who killed her but not having enough evidence to make an arrest.

Until the jury read its verdict, it seemed as if he would get away with it.

I was lucky enough to be able to follow the entire trial, which was a fascinating experience. It was a case with a lot of circumstantial evidence and no clear proof.

How did you get into journalism?

I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was 8. In 1998, when I was about 21, I started working at FLORIDA TODAY as a sports news assistant. I even wrote obituaries full-time for a year and a half just to pay my dues and get a chance to be a general assignment reporter. My dream was to cover crime, so this case was especially exciting.

How did you hear about Misty Morse’s story?

Our former colleague Norman Moody wrote the first story on the case before any arrests were made. Months after Misty's disappearance, her daughter's surfboard was still sitting in the corner, as if she could come home any day.

That's how I first heard about the case.

What did this tragic story tell you about the culture of Brevard County?

I started covering the story when Brent Huck was arrested and spent a lot of time on it. I was fortunate to be in the courtroom for much of the trial and reported daily. There seemed to be a real interest in the case in Brevard, and for good reason. It was a fascinating and heartbreaking story and a nerve-wracking trial for the prosecutors and Misty's family.

Why do you think Misty's story is an outstanding example in crime history?

The manner in which Misty was murdered touches many people in Brevard because it goes against the grain of what many of us consider the river to be a peaceful place where we create beautiful memories with family and friends.

More: The pursuit of justice led to the Palm Bay Police Department's investigation into the youth murders at The Compound

The case also has many compelling elements, including the scientific use of DNA from dog hair, the juxtaposition of Misty's working-class background with the fact that her killer came from a wealthy family, the case being based entirely on circumstantial evidence, and the manner in which Misty's body was found: washed up on the lawn of a retired judge.

JD Gallop is a justice and breaking news reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Reach Gallop at 321-917-4641 or [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.

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