Arizona man found dead in Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach police officers found the body of a 34-year-old Arizona resident July 22 seated on a bench in the 200 block of 35th Street after his legal guardians reported him missing earlier that day.
The guardians, who were visiting Anna Maria Island from Springfield, Arizona, called the Holmes Beach Police Department around 7 p.m. to report the man missing, describing him as “mentally challenged.” They said he had asked to go to the beach before he went missing.
They provided a photo of the missing man and HBPD began a search.
An officer found the man on a bench four blocks south of his guardians’ location in less than a half-hour and awaited paramedics, who declared the man dead at 7:25 p.m.
There were no obvious signs of injury or trauma, according to the police report.
HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander July 28 that medical issues might have led to the man’s death.
A couple told police they saw the man listening to music over earphones while resting on the bench earlier that day.
An officer met with the guardians and notified them of his death.
Also, police returned Stewart’s personal items.