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Police hope landfill holds clues about missing Tampa man

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By JENNIFER LEIGH | News Channel 8
and JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 26, 2009

Updated: 05/26/2009 07:16 pm

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TAMPA - Police have spent four days searching a Lithia landfill for forensic evidence into a Tampa man's disappearance.

So far, they've set aside some items for further testing, Tampa Police Department Det. Henry Duran said. He wouldn't say what those items are, but he said that if there's evidence in the landfill connected to the disappearance, police will find it.

"There is a potential that he may be out here, yes,'' Duran said.

Ryan Darkins Davis, 20, was last seen April 5. Police believe he was a victim in a double slaying.

Davis' mother, Robin Harris Darkins, said last week that she saw her son leave their home April 5 with friend Carl Walters. The two Hillsborough Community College students were going to spend the night at Walters' home.

Walters' body was found two days later in a field off Thonotosassa Road. He was naked and had been stabbed 18 times. Police believe he was dumped there.

Walters' stepbrother, Derrick Cullins, is charged with second-degree murder in the slaying. The two shared a home at 1810 E. Humprey St.

Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Walter Heinrich granted prosecutors' request to hold Cullins without bail. During the hearing, Tampa police Det. Charles Massucci testified that investigators believe Davis was killed in the same dispute that ended with Walters' death.

"I just want my brother back either way so we can get closure," Tierra Davis said last week.

Police are searching the landfill with help from the city of Tampa Solid Waste, Hillsborough County Solid Waste and Waste Management and Tampa Fire Rescue.

During a search of Cullins' house and vehicle, investigators found a receipt for a transfer station and determined Cullins had dumped furniture and carpeting, Duran said. Investigators tracked the items to the Lithia landfill. Duran said it is possible Davis' body was wrapped in a carpet.

Investigators are primarily searching an area that roughly measures 15 feet by 25 feet by 15 feet deep.

"They keep very good records out here,'' Duran said. "We were able to determine what day that load came, what grid it is located (in) and how it is stacked.''

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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