On the morning of Saturday, June 28, 2025, at approximately 7:15 a.m., deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and personnel from Clay County Fire Rescue responded to a wooded area behind the Winn-Dixie located at 2720 Blanding Boulevard after a witness reported seeing what appeared to be a deceased person.
Upon arrival, deputies confirmed the presence of a body and notified the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division. The deceased was later identified as 56-year-old John Dowden, a homeless individual known to frequent the area.
The District 4 Medical Examiner’s Office is working alongside investigators to determine the cause of death. At this time, authorities report no immediate signs of foul play…