The Clay County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating human remains unearthed in the St. Johns River. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office confirmed the grim discovery was made on May 7, when a local resident along the river bank contacted the authorities after spotting skeletal remains near a bulkhead on their property. Law enforcement, including detectives and the dive team, promptly arrived at the site located on the 3200 block of US17, close to the Doctors Lake bridge to embark on their investigation, as reported by their official Facebook page.
During their exploration of the unsettling scene, Clay County Sheriff's Office noted that the victim bore several tattoos on their legs. One piece of artwork, despite the obstacle of decay, has been sketched for the public in the hopes of identification, distributed in the form of an image on social media. Operating under the weight of urgency, the sheriff's department revealed, "The victim appeared to have multiple leg tattoos, including the attached image."
In an effort to propel the case forward, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the community for assistance via the SaferWatch app. They have opened the door for anonymous tips, which may yield up to a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest or significantly move the investigation forward. In a display of openness, the sheriff's office is urging anyone with potentially relevant knowledge to come forth, stating, "Anyone with information regarding this is encouraged to submit a tip through the SaferWatch app."
For inquiries regarding the ongoing investigation or the usability of the SaferWatch app, concerned citizens are encouraged by the sheriff's office to establish contact by calling 904-264-6512.
