INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers pushed back Thursday against online speculation that two bodies found days apart along U.S. 1 north of Sebastian are connected.
Speaking at a news conference, Flowers said investigators have found no evidence of foul play in either case and no indication the deaths are linked. Both remain classified as suspicious pending toxicology results.
The first body was discovered around 1 p.m. Monday on the west side of U.S. 1. The man was identified as a 44-year-old James Thompson whose last known address was the Sebastian Hotel. He was a longtime Brevard County resident.
Flowers said the man had a documented history of fentanyl use and mental health issues. Investigators determined he purchased methamphetamine on July 3. Video shows him alive at 1:30 p.m. July 5, walking northbound along U.S. 1. Flowers said the man had been begging his mother to help him get into rehab and had made statements about the possibility of overdosing on fentanyl.
A minor contusion was found on the man’s eyebrow, but Flowers said it was consistent with striking rocks — not violence. “There are no signs of violence in this case,” the sheriff said.
The second body was found about 4 p.m. Wednesday on the east side of U.S. 1, across the highway from the first location. Another fisherman made the discovery. The man was 65 years old with a temporary address in Sebastian. His identity has not been released.
Flowers said the man was on pretrial release for an aggravated battery charge in Broward County and had an active warrant from Plantation police for being in Indian River County. He had a history of seizures and had recently been treated at Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital. On July 5 at 7:30 a.m., he left the hospital against medical advice. He told his brother he was not going back and was last seen walking north on U.S. 1. Video confirms that sighting. He was still wearing hospital socks when his body was found.
Investigators found no signs of violence in the second case either.
Flowers was direct about the rumors circulating on social media. “There is no evidence of foul play and no evidence that these two cases are connected,” he said, noting that both men had struggled with drug use or mental health issues.
Both cases remain open. Final determinations on cause and manner of death will depend on toxicology reports, which are still pending.
Flowers credited the local fishermen who found both bodies, saying their cooperation has been valuable to investigators. He also issued a public warning about the presence of potentially lethal drugs in the area.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office said more information will be released once the toxicology results are complete.