Medical Examiner identifies remains of murder victim

Five months ago, Historic City News was informed by Public Information Officer Robert Weber that the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Services Division had responded to the gruesome discovery of a decaying body behind a Palm Coast home, but little else was known. Today we can report more details as the investigation continues.

A resident of Covington Lane reported to the Sheriff’s Office that a strange odor was coming from the marsh behind their home. Upon a search of the area, deputies located the body of what they described as “the body of a middle age white male”.

Although it was unknown if foul play was involved, homicide investigators from the State Attorney’s Office and investigators with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Scene Unit assisted in the processing of the scene.

The Office of the District 23 Medical Examiner, Dr. Predrag Bulic, performed a post-mortem examination of the remains in an attempt to identify the badly decomposed body, determine the manner, and the cause of death. The remains were sent to the Anthropology Section of the University of Florida for Osteological Examination as part of the autopsy.

The results released by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office yesterday confirm the identity of the body as 60-year-old Dennie Keith Cayton who resided at 16 Covington Lane in Palm Coast. The victim was not married and was unemployed.

Based on evidence collected in the investigation to date, Dr. Bulic has ruled the death to be a homicide by stabbing.

The case remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Annie Conrad at 386-586-4844 or call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Tipsters can text information by texting “tip231” plus their message to CRIMES (274637). Tipsters who provide information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $5,000.