Overview
- A fisherman discovered a man’s body near the Sebastian River Bridge around 2 p.m. on Monday, prompting a suspicious-death investigation by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
- Detectives found a second, heavily decomposed body on Wednesday in shrubbery along the east shoreline near 14510 U.S. Highway 1, directly across from the first recovery site.
- The man recovered Monday was identified as 44-year-old James Thompson of Palm Bay, who had been reported missing, and officials say autopsies have been completed with cause of death pending toxicology results.
- Sheriff Eric Flowers told reporters investigators saw no obvious signs of violence on either body and do not currently believe the deaths are connected, though they are examining whether tainted drugs could be involved.
- Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office or submit anonymous tips to Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers as both probes remain active.