Remains could be Cordova man missing since October
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 The Commercial Appeal
Human remains discovered recently in Mississippi may belong to a Cordova man who has been missing since October.
Sanjay Patel, 44, left the Five Star Liquor and Wine store in Cordova around 10:20 p.m. on Oct. 3 in the company of Marcus Perry, a regular customer there. Patel hasn’t been seen alive since.
Perry shot and killed himself in his Bartlett home on Oct. 11. Bartlett police recovered Perry’s phone, and based on evidence on the phone they determined that Patel is dead. Bartlett police also said that a search of Perry’s home at 9005 Pembroke Ellis revealed more evidence that Patel was dead, including digital evidence.
A landowner found the remains — mostly bones — in a wooded area of Pope in Panola County on Feb. 25, Panola County Coroner Gracie Grant-Gulledge said Tuesday. Grant-Gulledge said they contacted Bartlett police on Thursday to ask for the use of a cadaver dog, since Bartlett had indicated Patel may be in that area.
“The collective remains with DNA and dental records were transported to the Mississippi medical examiner’s office. If they’re identified, we can then notify the family if this is the right person,” Grant-Gulledge said Tuesday. She is hopeful that dental records could confirm the identity by Thursday.
It’s still unknown why Patel left with Perry that night. Patel’s family members said Perry came into the store four or five times a week to buy cognac, but there was no indication the two knew each other beyond that.
Perry had multiple arrests in Memphis for DUI and disorderly conduct. He was also once charged with having a handgun while intoxicated.
Bartlett police spokeswoman Tina Schaber would not say much about the case.
“We helped Panola County with some evidence, and right now I don’t even know what the evidence is,” she said. “We wait until we find out what it is. The detectives are still working it as we speak.”
Family members were unavailable for comment Tuesday, a person answering the phone at the liquor store said. Attempts to reach Shilpa Patel, wife of the missing man, were also unsuccessful.