Mease Countryside Patient Found Dead in Canal

The body of a man who left Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor on Friday was found later that night in a canal he had been spotted entering, according to the Pinellas Conty Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff’s Office’s dive unit located the body with a side-scan sonar, which emits soundwaves to create images, about five hours after the man was reported missing. The body was located near where the nan entered the canal.

The Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased as 47-year-old Terry Len Burch, of Oldsmar.

Burch left the hospital aound 4:20 p.m. on foot and was followed by a security guard. Witnesses saw him enter the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal near McMullen Booth and Curlew roads and waded north. He was last seen wearing a hospital gown.

Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda told St. Petersburg Times reporter Rita Farlow that Burch was a mental health patient but was not in custody under the Baker Act, in which someone may be held for psychological evaluation if he or she appears likely to harm someone.

The man was seen entering the canal around 4:20 p.m. Friday. 

The Sheriff's Office's Patrol, Marine, Flight,and Dive Unit responded to the scene. They were assisted by Safety Harbor Fire, and Florida Fish and Wildlife staff.