Finding In Man's Death on Turtle Beach

Investigators believe that a man found Sunday on took his own life.

The man is identified as Rickey L. Blundy, 53, whose last address was on the 1500 block of North Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Investigators determined the death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot, according to the report. It is unclear what life factors led to Blundy's death.

Because of the public nature of the suicide, Patch is reporting the findings by the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office also found Blundy's truck, with Illinois tags, parked at the beach. Blundy's family in Tennessee was notified by authorities.

Kayakers at Turtle Beach saw the man slumped in a chair at Turtle Beach, 8918 Midnight Pass Road, at about 4:45 a.m. Sunday morning and assumed he was sleeping. The kayakers did not have a clear view of Blundy because of the darkness, according to an incident report by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

The kayakers continued to the water while later, at around 6:30 a.m., a passerby saw the victim's body, called the sheriff's office to report it, and later alerted a deputy who arrived for a routine beach patrol after 7 a.m.

What To Do When Someone Needs Help

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

• Do not leave the person alone.

• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).

• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.

Source: National Suicide Prevention