Homicide detectives look for clues in man’s slaying

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the death of a man who was found early Wednesday face-down in an intersection at the back of an industrial park.

Around 6 a.m., deputies were called to the area of 58th Avenue East and 21st Street East and found a deceased black male in his 40s or 50s. He was wearing a green sport coat and brown corduroy pants.

Wednesday night, investigators reported they have identified the victim but would not release his name until next of kin has been notified.

Information on the nature of the man’s wounds, which led the sheriff’s office to identify the investigation as a homicide, is staying under wraps as detectives piece together clues.

“It was trauma, but we’re going to keep that close to the vest right now,” said sheriff’s office spokesman Dave Bristow.

Investigators collected evidence at the crime scene from 6 a.m. to just before 1 p.m. At some point during the investigation, detectives headed into a nearby pine woods.

“We’re looking for any clues, where this individual may have come from,” Bristow said. “Was he homeless? Did he live in the area? Because that’s really not a residential area right there.”

Employees of the industrial park who watched the crime scene unfold said the area was typically quiet, and they occasionally see homeless individuals.

Anyone with information on the case can contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477.

This story was originally published January 11, 2017 at 2:35 PM with the headline "Homicide detectives look for clues in man’s slaying."