Death of city building official investigated

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s was called to the Cherry Tree Road residence of forty-year-old William Allan Franke last night to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Franke has lived in St Johns County for some time, was married, and employed by the City of St Augustine on November 27, 2007. Franke previously worked as a Building Inspector for Putnam County and St. Johns County, as well as a private firm.

Mayor Nancy Shaver told Historic City News this morning, “Will’s death is a great loss to this city, his family and our community.”

City Manager John Regan told staff and officials this morning saying, “This is a sad day and our thoughts are with Will’s family.”

Franke began his employment with the City as a Building Inspector. The building official at that time, Nick Andrade, worked with Franke as he studied for certification from the International Code Council as a Commercial Electrical Inspector and Commercial Mechanical Inspector. On Andrade’s retirement, in October 2011, Franke obtained standard approval from the State of Florida Building Code Administrator’s and Inspector’s Board as a Building Code Administrator. He was appointed Building Official at that time.

The District 24 Medical Examiner will make an official ruling on the cause and manner of Franke’s death at the completion of the autopsy. According to a sheriff’s spokesman, there do not appear to be signs of foul play — the death appears to be a case of suicide, but that is unconfirmed at this time.