Apalachicola National Forest death investigation update

Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office detectives continue to investigate an unusual death reported Friday, April 27 in the Apalachicola National Forest, according to Sheriff Donnie Crum.

A U.S. Forest Service helicopter pilot observed smoke in the forest at 3:15 p.m. and contacted firefighters to contain the blaze. Shortly before 4:15 p.m., a severely burned body was observed near the vehicle and law enforcement was contacted. Firefighters and law enforcement officials arrived on the scene and found a badly burned vehicle and the remains of a male.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into the death. Due to the condition of the body, the cause of death and the identity of the man have not been determined.
The fire began as a half acre blaze before growing larger. Firefighters got the blaze under control later during the day Friday.

The vehicle, which was completely destroyed, was found at a remote location of the national forest eight to 10 miles north of Arran Road in Crawfordville. Detectives are creating a timeline of activities leading up to the fire and are combining physical evidence from the scene to help them positively identify the body.

The original case was investigated by Deputy Nick Gray, Detective Rob Giddens, Lt. Mike Kemp, Sgt. Fred Nichols, Captain Chris Savary, Lt. C.L. Morrison, Detective Lorne Whaley, Major Shepard Bruner and Undersheriff Maurice Langston of the WCSO as well as the U.S. Forest Service, state Fire Marshal, Florida Forest Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime scene unit.

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