PI: How the Gannon investigation changes now that investigators believe they’ve found his remains

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- On Friday, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office announced remains believed to belong to Gannon Stauch were found in the Florida panhandle.

Before Friday, investigators hadn't revealed that they'd found any evidence of the 11-year-old's body.

Letecia Stauch, Gannon's stepmom, was already arrested and facing charges for Gannon's murder. Prosecutors announced they have filed new charges against her including 'first-degree murder with deliberation.'

Private investigator and former Pueblo County Sheriff Dan Corsentino says finding Gannon's remains "should be a game-changer."

One of the first steps for investigators, Corsentino says, is that they'll have to "link the stepmother to transporting Gannon to Florida."

He explains the movement of Gannon's remains might give insight to why new charges were filed against Letecia Stauch.

"When anyone is transporting a human body that is deceased, assuming he was deceased, 1400 miles, [they have] a mindset of intent and a plan of action for disposal," said Corsentino.

Gannon's remains could also bring to light new evidence.

"The recovery of Gannon and bringing Gannon home is the most important thing," he said. "But second to that will be the successful conviction of the stepmother based on the evidence that Gannon would bring with him from Florida."

Prosecutors also added sentence-enhancing charges including crimes of violence for use of a firearm, blunt instrument or knife in the cause of death.

"Whenever a prosecutor or district attorney adds sentence enhancers, they have evidence that basically supports one or all three of those enhancers," said Corsentino.

Letecia Stauch's next court appearance is April 14th for a status conference. Arrest affidavits in the case have been sealed.