Police investigate homicide in Clearwater Beach neighborhood
CLEARWATER — Police have launched a homicide investigation after a 49-year-old man was found dead early Friday morning in a Clearwater Beach neighborhood.
Police received a 911 call at 12:37 a.m. about a person lying on the ground in the 700 block of Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater police Deputy Chief Michael Walek said at a news conference Friday. Officers found a dead man lying next to a bicycle.
The man appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma to his upper body, Walek said. In a news release Friday evening, police identified the man as Jeffrey Chapman of Clearwater Beach.
Police have not identified a suspect in the homicide, but witness interviews and surveillance video indicated one suspect’s vehicle is black with four doors. Detectives believe there are at least two suspects, according to police.
Mandalay Avenue was closed to traffic while police investigated. Police have increased patrols in the area but do not believe there is any threat to the public, Walek said.
Police asked anyone with information to call 727-562-4242.
