The Indian River County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the discovery of two bodies found near the Sebastian River bridge this week. The first body was discovered on Monday afternoon, and a second body was found on Wednesday, both near U.S. 1. The sheriff’s office is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday to provide further details.
The first discovery occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on Monday, when two individuals preparing to go wade fishing stumbled upon a body near the Sebastian River bridge. The caller, who alerted authorities, described the scene to 911 dispatchers, noting that the individual appeared to be a white male lying face down on the shore. The caller observed that the individual had ‘definitely changed colors,’ suggesting the body had been there for some time.
The Discovery of James Edward Harley Thompson
The body found on Monday was later identified as James Edward Harley Thompson, a 44-year-old man. According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Thompson was already deceased by the time detectives and crime scene investigators arrived at the scene. The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Thompson’s grandmother reached out to local media, describing her grandson as a smart, funny, and kind-hearted man who was very skilled with his hands. She mentioned that he has a 16-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter, leaving a family behind to grapple with the tragic loss.
People who live nearby reported seeing crime scene investigators searching the area along U.S. 1 and the Saint Sebastian River’s shoreline for hours. One resident, Bob Gallagher of Micco, noted that the area is known for its mangroves and that investigators were seen searching the dense vegetation.
A Second Body Found Near the First
On Wednesday, shortly after 4 p.m., a caller reported finding a heavily decomposed body in the shrubbery along the shoreline on the east side of U.S. 1 near 14510 U.S. Highway 1. This discovery was made across the street from where Thompson’s body was located on Monday. Detectives and Crime Scene Unit personnel responded to the scene and were still processing it Wednesday evening while working to identify the person.
Investigators are examining whether the two deaths are related or separate incidents that happened to occur in the same general area. The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact them at (772) 569-6700 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at (800) 273-8477. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
The community is left with many questions as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding these tragic discoveries. The sheriff’s office news conference on Thursday is expected to provide further insights into the ongoing investigation.
