More details are emerging about the March 3 death of Bradenton resident Tiffany Anne Williams, 39, whose body was recovered that morning from the Gulf of Mexico by good Samaritans — a pair of joggers — in Holmes Beach.
Williams’ death was ruled a drowning at the scene by officers from the Holmes Beach Police Department and during an autopsy by the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office, according to Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer.
While there haven’t been any developments from the investigation, The Islander received an HBPD report March 10 on the case.
The report indicates Williams may have been dead for less than six hours at the time her body was recovered.
Williams’ body had bruises above her left eye and legs, but police found no signs of “significant trauma” or “evidence of foul play,” according to the report.
HBPD Detective Sgt. Brian Hall, who is leading the investigation, contacted Williams’ parents.
“They said that Tiffany was trespassed from their house on Sunday and has been homeless and staying different places,” the report states.
The victim was at her parents home before she died and the parents told Hall that she had been using drugs and wanted to sleep on the beach.
The father dropped her off in Bradenton Beach around 9:45 p.m., according to the report.
Tokajer said a toxicology report could take up to four months to complete.
Williams’ phone and other personal items were found on the shoreline near Cortez Road by officers with the Bradenton Beach Police Department.
People with information can contact Hall by phone at 941-708-5800, ext. 243, or by email at detective@holmesbeach.org.
— Ryan Paice