SEAGROVE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a Georgia teen's body was found less than a half mile from the condominium where she had been vacationing with her family.

Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson says 21-year-old Steven Cozzie was arrested Friday after officials linked him to the death of Courtney Wilkes, who would have turned 16 in July.

Wilkes was last seen Thursday afternoon with Cozzie. Adkinson says the two didn't know each other previously.

The teen's family reported her missing Thursday afternoon and her body was found hours later near a wooded area near a nature trail.

Adkinson called the slaying an "extremely violent encounter." He says physical and eyewitness evidence led investigators to Cozzie.

Cozzie is being held without bail on premeditated murder charges.

The Wilkes family is from Lyons, Ga.