Times Staff
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
PORT RICHEY
Body found floating near pier identified
The identity of a man whose body was found floating Aug. 26 near a pier in the Pithlachascotee River has been verified through fingerprints, but authorities are still trying to find the man's next of kin before releasing his name.
Port Richey police Chief Dave Brown said the man appears to have been homeless and had ties to Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, as well as Texas. Brown said officers have been contacting homeless facilities in Pasco County and elsewhere to try to learn more about this man and whether he had family.
"We are working with as many people as we can who were connected to this person to see if he has family out there somewhere," Brown said Wednesday.
He said the cause of death has not been determined. The body was found by a woman collecting fishing bait.