BARTOW, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the public Sunday afternoon, providing preliminary details regarding a homicide investigation in the city of Bartow.
Standing on Bluebird Avenue alongside members of the Bartow Police Department, Sheriff Judd emphasized the early stage of the investigation and the potential for details to change as the inquiry progresses.
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Judd confirmed that the victim is an 81-year-old white male who resided in an independent living group home on Bluebird Avenue. The facility, described as an independent care facility, is owned by E.T. Care. Authorities also indicated that three other individuals resided at the same group home.
“We know we have one deceased person. He’s a white male, 81 years of age, and he was residing in an independent living group home, so this was an independent care facility, a group home, and it was owned by E.T Care,” Sheriff Judd explained. “Addition to that, there are three other people that lived in this particular group home.”
The Sheriff confirmed that the victim’s death was violent, though specific details regarding the nature of the death are being withheld at this early stage of the investigation.
“Now, what we know is he died of violent death? We’re not releasing any specific details because it’s much too early,” Sheriff Judd noted.
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According to the preliminary timeline, the victim was last seen alive on Saturday evening. He was discovered deceased around noon on Sunday, prompting a 911 call to the Bartow Police Department. Sheriff Judd commended the swift response of the Bartow Police.
“We know this. Our victim was last seen alive yesterday evening. And this morning, he normally doesn’t get up for breakfast. So when they discovered him about noon just prior to the 911, call to the Bartow Police Department, he was deceased. The Bartow police had a miraculous response, and he was obviously deceased upon their arrival,” Sheriff Judd stated.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is actively collaborating with the Bartow Police Department on the ongoing investigation. Sheriff Judd informed the media that no further information would be released on Sunday.
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