Authorities have identified the victim found in a burning car on a rural Clay County roadside, confirming the charred remains belong to a Jacksonville man as deputies now work a full-on homicide case.
The county medical examiner on Thursday identified the victim as 41-year-old Reginald Eldrige Gantt of Jacksonville and ruled his death a homicide. His body was discovered earlier this month inside a vehicle that had been set on fire near County Road 218 and North Mimosa Avenue in an unincorporated part of Clay County.
Clay County deputies and Clay County Fire Rescue first responded to a vehicle fire on April 6. After firefighters knocked down the flames, they found the body inside. Investigators later told reporters the car may have been parked in that spot since the morning of April 5, but the fire did not break out until the afternoon of April 6, according to News4JAX.
Investigators on the scene
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is leading the homicide investigation and coordinating with Clay County Fire Rescue as detectives process evidence from the vehicle and surrounding area. The agency lists its non-emergency line as (904) 264-6512 and operates multiple hubs across the county that support investigations and community policing.
So far, officials have not released any suspect information, potential motive or additional forensic findings. Detectives say the case remains active while they track leads, analyze evidence and work to piece together what happened in the hours before the fire. For agency information, see the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
How to help
Investigators are asking anyone who might have seen the vehicle or has surveillance footage from the County Road 218 area to get in touch. Tipsters can call the sheriff’s office non-emergency line or submit an anonymous tip to First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. Crime Stoppers also accepts webtips and app submissions.
Detectives note that even brief clips from doorbell cameras, dashcams or cell phones can be crucial in a case like this, helping establish a timeline or capturing vehicles and people in the area. For details on how to send in anonymous tips, visit First Coast Crime Stoppers.
What we know — and what comes next
With the medical examiner’s homicide ruling, the case is officially an active criminal investigation focused on how Gantt died, who was involved and when the vehicle was set on fire. Detectives are working through forensic evidence, canvassing for witnesses and reviewing any available video.
Authorities have released only limited information while they continue to process evidence and conduct interviews. This story will be updated as the Clay County Sheriff’s Office or the medical examiner release new details.
