NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Many questions remain after a man was arrested after the discovery of a woman's body in a trash can Sunday afternoon.
The body of Michelle Hull was found behind the Dixie Fuel Company in Newport News.
Michelle Hull
Police were led to the location during an investigation into her disappearance.
Part of the missing persons investigation led by York-Poquoson's Sheriff's deputies brought them to the Dixie Fuel Company on Muller Lane but Newport News Police were already on the scene investigating a body found in a trash can.
Monday evening, the York-Poquoson's Sheriff's Office confirmed that the body found was that of 46-year-old Hull.
An arrest warrant state a witness told authorities that Kerlin claimed Hull died from a drug overdose at his house in Seaford. He told the witness her body was at the shop in Newport News. Kerlin asked the witness if she would help him hide Michelle's body, according to the records.
Paul LeBoeuf said he has known Michelle for over 20 years and dated her on and off for four and a half years.
He said, "She had one of the best hearts of anyone I've ever met. She was absolutely adorable caring. Full of life and fun."
Michael Kerlin (Photo: Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail)
Michael Kerlin has been arrested in connection with the suspicious death. He was in court Monday morning facing charges of unlawful concealment of a dead body and two drug related charges.
The York County Clerk of Courts officials told NewsChannel 3 he's being held without bond and told the judge that he plans to hire his own attorney.
According to the website, he is the owner of the Dixie Fuel Company, which is where the body was found.
LeBoeuf said Hull has known Kerlin for a while. Hull's car, cell phone and purse were found at Kerlin's house, according to a search warrant.
Kerlin is expected back in court on May 18.
Family and friends want answers. A close friend said, "I'm broke up real bad about it. I'm just anxious to find out what happened. Because nobody deserves to be treated like a piece of trash."
LeBoeuf said, "This should not happen she should not be treated like a piece of trash and put in the trash can."
His ex-girlfriend went missing last week then authorities got a search warrant for Kerlin's house in Seaford.
LeBoeuf said, "I'm devastated absolutely, devastated."
The Dixie Fuel Company is owned by Kerlin's family and is ten miles away from his home in Seaford.
"I love her more than anything in the world and I'm really broke up about it. And I hope justice is served," said LeBoeuf.
Now loved ones are grieving and wanting answers.
LeBoeuf said Hull was loved by everyone that knew her. They would take motorcycle rides she would stop for injured animals on the side of the road trying to help them.
"If it was of her animals she would try to grab it up and take it to the vet in anything in anything and everything and same thing with people she tried to take care of everybody she could," said LeBoeuf, "She always wanted to help everybody. She always had a smile on her face she was just an absolute sweetheart."
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