Florida mom, 49, and her sons, 21 and 19, are arrested for tampering with evidence after their dad David Rainey was stabbed to death and dumped in canal while on vacation

A Florida woman and her two sons have been charged in connection with the death of their father, whose body was found submerged in a canal with a knife during a weekend getaway.

David Rainey’s wife Cindy Rainey, 49, and two sons, Bailey Rainey, 21, and Jack Rainey, 19, were arrested two years later for tampering with evidence.

Rainey, 52, was found dead on July 25, 2021, submerged in a canal behind a home he and his family had rented in Suwannee, Florida. Police have never named a suspect.

The father-of-two, who worked as a welder on steam and gas turbines, had been stabbed several times and his death was ruled a homicide in 2021.

Cindy, his wife, reported him missing the morning after he walked out of the house during a marital argument.

After the argument, David left his glasses, wallet and cell phone behind.

David’s body was eventually found in a ditch in the backyard of the house they rented, after an “extensive search.”

He had been stabbed in the chest and his body had been placed in the water after his death, officials said.

This week, police arrested Cindy and Bailey Rainey in Flagler County, and then arrested 19-year-old Jack Rainey in Orlando.

All three are being held without bond.

In Florida, tampering with evidence is considered a third-degree felony, with penalties of up to five years in prison, or five years of probation and a $5,000 fine.

Police have not yet released a suspect or possible motive in Rainey’s death.

Cindy Rainey, 49, has been charged with tampering with evidence

Bailey Rainey, 21, was also charged. He is being held without bond

Jack Rainey, 19, has now been charged with tampering with evidence two years later

The couple was married for 21 years. David was born in Redlands, California, and later graduated from welding school in New York.

His obituary read: “David traveled throughout the United States and the world for work. He was respected by his colleagues for his excellent skills, work ethic and dedication to getting the job done right.”

The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: “On the morning of July 25, 2021, David Rainey was reported missing by his wife, Cindy Rainey, while the couple and their family were vacationing in the town of Suwannee.

“Later that evening, Dixie County Sheriff’s Office investigators found David Rainey deceased in a canal behind their rented home.

‘David Rainey had multiple stab wounds to the chest and had been placed in water after his death. David Rainey’s death was ruled a homicide.

The father’s obituary read: “David traveled throughout the United States and the world for work. He was respected by his colleagues for his excellent skills, work ethic and dedication to getting the job done right.”

David’s body was eventually found in a ditch in the backyard of the house they rented, after an ‘extensive search’

“On October 25, 2023, three family members of David Rainey were arrested in connection with his murder.

“Dixie County Sheriff’s Office investigators traveled to Bunnell, Florida, and arrested Cindy Rainey and Bailey Rainey with the assistance of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

“Investigators then traveled to Orlando, Florida, and arrested Jack Rainey with the assistance of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

“Cindy Rainey, Bailey Rainey and Jack Rainey were all charged with tampering with evidence.

“Sheriff Darby Butler would like to thank the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the State Attorney, Third Circuit, for their assistance to the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office with these arrests.”