St. Pete Beach Drowning Under Investigation

ST. PETE BEACH, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 28-year-old Pinellas Park man in an apparent drowning.

According to the agency, Gary R. Tribou II went into the water behind the 5500 Gulf Blvd. TradeWinds Island Grand Resort Thursday evening and was found unconscious a short time later. Deputies were called to the scene around 7:41 p.m. Sept. 8.

Witnesses told deputies Tribou was with friends when he entered the water after “consuming alcoholic beverages,” an email from the sheriff’s office said. “About an hour later, a passerby found Tribou unconscious and pulled him ashore.”

Tribou was taken to Palms of Pasadena Hospital, but was pronounced dead.

“Deputies say that alcohol and/or drugs appear to be factors in Tribou’s death,” the email said.

No further information is being released at this time.

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