Joshua Bryant
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- For other uses, see Joshua Bryant (disambiguation).Missing image
Joshua_Bryant.jpgJoshua Bryant
Joshua Bryant (December 24 1990 - ?May 12 2001) was a Deltona, Florida resident who went missing along with his grandmother Lillian Martin on May 12, 2001, both are presumed to be the victims of an abduction and murder. His body was uncovered in woods near Cassadaga, Florida on June 4, 2004.
Joshua spent most of his life being raised by his sister and grandmother because his mother was a drug addict. His mother died in April of 2000. He loved taekwondo, swimming, wrestling, skateboarding and cycling.
Abduction and Murder
Joshua and Lillian disappeared from their home in suspicious circumstances on the morning of May 12, 2001 some time after 9am and before 11am, and foul play was suspected. Part of the home had been ransacked, but nothing appeared to have been taken. A nationwide search began and they were featured on America's Most Wanted and on a NASCAR race car. Investigators have named Douglas McClymont as a possible suspect in the case. He committed suicide on May 2, 2004 however, so the truth may never be known. Investigators interviewed McClymont shortly after the disappearance because he had done some electrical work in the home, he stated that he had been smoking crack at the time and brought forward friends as alibis so was ruled out of the investigation. The alibis later retracted their statements.
Following a crime spree by McClymont in May, 2004 investigators began re-examining him as a possible suspect. According to Deborah Bowes, who was abducted by McClymont after he murdered her husband, he confessed to murdering both Joshua and Lillian. Investigators interviewed a woman who had seen a man with duct tape walking a boy out into the woods where Joshua was eventually found. When first interviewed she did not recognise Joshua in a photo. During the new interview she was shown a photograph of Douglas McClymont and recognised him as the man who she had seen walking with Joshua.
As of 2004, investigators are still searching for Lillian Martin, who is presumed dead.
Conspiracy Theory
There is a persistent rumour that Lillian Martin and Joshua Bryant are in the Witness Protection Program, and that their disappearances were staged. No evidence has been uncovered to support this and the rumours are largely considered the work of paranoid conspiracy theorists. With the positive identification of Joshua's body in 2004, these rumours have largely disappeared.
Trust Fund
A trust fund for Joshua and Martin has been established through SunTrust Bank, in Deltona. Donations may be made at any of the bank's locations in care of the Lillian Martin and Joshua Bryant Trust Account.