Jorge Diaz-Johnston, the brother of Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz and a plaintiff in the landmark Miami-Dade County same-sex marriage lawsuit, was found dead on Jan. 15.

His body was found in a trash pile at a landfill in Jackson County around 9:30 a.m.

Diaz-Johnston, 54, had been missing since Jan. 3. He was last seen in the 2800 block of Remington Green Circle in Tallahassee, where Diaz-Johnston lived with his husband, Don Johnston.

His death has been ruled a homicide by Tallahassee Police. Authorities have not yet released details from his autopsy regarding the cause of death.

Diaz-Johnston, the brother of former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, was a plaintiff in a landmark case in Florida in 2014, when he challenged the state’s ban on same-sex marriage in a lawsuit in Miami-Dade County.

Manny Diaz released a statement saying that he is “profoundly appreciative of the outpouring of support shown to me, my brother-in-law Don, and my family after the loss of my brother.”

“My brother was such a special gift to this world whose heart and legacy will continue to live on for generations to come,” he added.

Husband Don Diaz-Johnston posted this message to Facebook:

There are just no words for the loss of my beloved husband Jorge Isaias Diaz-Johnston. I can't stop crying as I try and write this. But he meant so much to all of you as he did to me. So I am fighting through the tears to share with you our loss of him. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Services will be held for the family only in Miami but there will likely be a virtual platform for all of you as well. This is all so sudden. So please be patient with us. I just couldn't wait any longer to share with you our profound loss. Please share the news with everyone you can. He touched so many people with his kind and generous heart. It seems impossible to even fathom how to tell them all. But if you want to help, that is how you can. By sharing the best of him with each other. God bless you all.