By Erin Sullivan, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, November 27, 2010
NEW PORT RICHEY
Death of Lakeland man under investigation
Authorities have identified the man whose body was found at the entrance of River Ridge Golf and Country Club early Friday as Michael E. Venerable, a 45-year-old from Lakeland.
Kevin Doll, spokesman for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, will only say Venerable's death is classified as "suspicious" — but said that does not mean foul play was involved. A waitress who found Venerable's body near a portable toilet off DeCubellis Road and Tee Time Circle said it looked like his arms and legs were burned.
Venerable has been arrested six times since 2000, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, on charges of habitually driving with a suspended license and possession of methamphetamines and marijuana. His last arrest was in June in Lakeland on a battery charge.
Doll said the medical examiner will determine cause of death.
Venerable was found one day before his birthday. If he had lived, he would have turned 46 on Saturday.