Body found in SUV pulled from canal identified as missing Hialeah man

FHP says medical examiner confirms ID of Nelson Ruiz

A body was found inside this Honda Pilot pulled from a canal off Okeechobee Road.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A body found in a sport utility vehicle pulled from a northwest Miami-Dade County canal Thursday afternoon has been identified as that of a missing man from Hialeah.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Monday that the Miami-Dade County medical examiner's office confirmed that the body in the canal was that of Nelson Ruiz.

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Ruiz, 51, was reported missing Jan. 16.

South Florida Water Management District crews cleaning a canal near Okeechobee Road, about a mile south of Krome Avenue, made the discovery.

Ruiz's black Honda Pilot was removed the water, and a body was found in the driver's seat.

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