At approximately 11:41 a.m. this morning Punta Gorda Police responded to the Punta Gorda Nature Park, located at the intersection of Bal Harbor Boulevard and Aqui Esta Drive, in reference to a body that was discovered by individuals visiting the park. Detectives and Crime Scene are conducting an investigation and will be working with the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine cause of death. The name of the deceased will not be released until family can be notified. There is no reason to believe that there is any threat to public safety. More information will be made available when possible.
UPDATE (August 20, 2019) The victim in this incident has been identified as 66 year old Joseph Gary Griffin of Bal Harbor Boulevard in Punta Gorda. An autopsy was conducted and the Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death a suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
