Foul play suspected in death at Fruit Cove

Historic City News has been informed that District 23 Medical Examiner Dr. Predag Bulic has been called in to identify and a determine what caused the death of a man whose body was discovered by law enforcement officers inside a Fruit Cove residence yesterday.

The home in the 1100 block of Popolee Road is being processed by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office as a crime scene until more information can be verified.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. Friday, deputies received a request to check on the welfare of the resident of the home; a man who has been described by neighbors as a recluse.

When no answer came at the door, deputies forced their way into the home and discovered the remains inside. It could not be determined how long the body had been dead, however, according to a report received from Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Kelshaw, the circumstances appear suspicious.

Crime scene technicians and homicide detectives were combing the residence late into the evening — looking for any piece of potential evidence that will help them reach a conclusion as to whether a crime has occurred.

It is believed that the man lived alone in the house; however, it may have been some time since he was last in communication with others outside the home.

Kelshaw told Historic City News that detectives are continuing the investigation and that additional information will be released when it becomes available.