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Death of waitress and missing bartender connected in Cape Coral

Ruiz search at German American Club.jpg
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UPDATE (10/10 2:40PM) -- Police launched another investigation Thursday near where Diane Ruiz was last seen on Monday. They say a body has been found with "characteristics" of Diane.
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UPDATE (10/10): Cape police say they have a person of interest who may be connected to both women. Two sources - including a former girlfriend of the person of interest - tell Fox 4 it was a family member who turned him in.

We are choosing not to name that man because Cape Coral Police have not yet charged him yet.

That person is being held on no bond in jail on other charges.

RELATED: Police are looking for information on a car seen on Pine Island Road

UPDATE (6:02 PM)

A source has told Fox 4 that the person of interest in the disappearance of Diane Ruiz was found with her cell phone.

Count on Fox 4 to keep you updated with the latest information on this ongoing investigation.

UPDATE (3:58pm)

Cape Coral Police have developed a person of interest who is already in custody on unrelated charges.

Cape Coral Police say the investigation into Ruiz’s disappearance appears to be possible foul play.

Police believe that the same person of interest from the initial death investigation of Kristine Melton may be involved in the disappearance of Diane Ruiz.

This is still an active investigation.

If you have any information pertaining to these two investigations, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223.


Tuesday, Cape Coral Police were at a home on Tudor Drive, where 35-year-old Kristine Melton was found dead. She was a waitress at Duffy's Sports Grill in Cape Coral.

Monday, Cape Coral Police issued a missing endangered woman report for 43-year-old Diane Ruiz. She disappeared on her way to work as a bartender at the Moose Lodge on Santa Barbara Boulevard.

A search Tuesday centered around the Moose Lodge.

Wednesday, Cape Coral police launched a new search in the case of Diane Ruiz. That search is centered in the area of the German American Club on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.

Fox 4 is following these cases closely and will update as the story develops.