Body Of Missing Virginia Man Found In Car Trunk After Crash In Miami-Dade

A Virginia man is facing a murder charge in the killing of his friend after authorities found a body in the trunk of his car, NBC Miami reported. On Sunday (October 25) around 4 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to a single vehicle crash on The Palmetto Expressway southbound near Northwest 154th Street, according to an arrest report. Authorities then encountered 25-year-old Robert Avery Coltrain, who was the driver.

Troopers smelled a foul odor coming from the rear of Coltrain's Acura, which was towed to the parking lot of Westland Mall in Hialeah. They were watching Coltrain remove some items from the car, including a Glock gun case. The odor prompted authorities to open the trunk. "As a result of the continuous foul odor and insect presence, FHP troopers opened the trunk of the vehicle and discovered a body," the report said.

The body was later identified as 25-year-old Brian Trotter, who was last seen alive on October 17, according to the report. It added that Trotter, who was an aspiring rapper, was picked up at is home in Triangle, Virginia by Coltron. Family members reported him missing the next day. Trotter's decomposing body was wrapped in a piece of fabric, officials reported.

"A preliminary examination by Miami-Dade Medical Examiner found Trotter had been shot multiple times in his torso, and evidence showed Trotter had been shot at least once inside the car with the Glock," NBC Miami said.

Coltrain was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Records show he was being held without Monday at a Miami-Dade jail.

Photo: Miami-Dade Corrections