Man Found Dead At Fort De Soto Park ID’d

TIERRA VERDE, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 57-year-old St. Petersburg man whose body was found near East Beach at Fort De Sort Park Thursday morning.

According to the agency, Dyrle Burkett was found near the far end of the 3500 Pinellas Bayway S. beach in water right by the shore shortly after 11 a.m. May 18. Burkett was pronounced dead by first responders, a Thursday evening email from the sheriff’s office said.

“Detectives have confirmed that Burkett died from unnatural causes,” the email said. Authorities did not elaborate on those causes.

While Burkett’s death remains under investigation, the sheriff’s office said “Burkett was reported to have made earlier statements to harm himself.”

No further information is being released at this time.

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Editor's note: This story was updated at 6:03 p.m. May 18 with the identity of the victim.

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