The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has made a significant arrest following a tragic discovery on the Treasure Coast. A 30-year-old Fort Pierce resident is currently facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with a recent homicide at a local tent encampment.
On May 25, 2026, authorities responded to the 2600 block of Rolyat Street in Fort Pierce, where they discovered the body of a deceased individual inside a tent. The St. Lucie County Medical Examiner’s Office subsequently ruled the death a homicide, and investigators identified the victim as 63-year-old Carl Leonard Smith, also of Fort Pierce.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division worked quickly to piece together the events leading to Smith’s death. Through a combination of witness interviews and a thorough review of local surveillance footage, investigators initially developed probable cause to arrest 30-year-old Zachary Ryan Edwards for the fraudulent misuse of an EBT card. Following the issuance of a community-wide Be-On-The-Lookout alert, local law enforcement actively searched for the suspect.
Zachary Ryan Edwards, 30, was apprehended without incident by Deputy Bradley Bell on May 29, 2026, and currently faces charges of first-degree murder and fraudulent misuse of an EBT card following the death of 63-year-old Carl Leonard Smith.
Edwards was located in the 400 block of Brown Court at approximately 10:15 p.m. As the investigation unfolded on the night of his arrest, detectives uncovered additional evidence directly linking Edwards to the homicide. He is currently being held at the St. Lucie County Jail.
The swift resolution of this case highlights the diligent efforts of local Treasure Coast law enforcement. Sheriff Richard Del Toro publicly commended the seamless coordination among multiple agency units that led to the capture of the suspect.
Key divisions involved in the comprehensive investigation include:
- Patrol Operations Bureau
- Criminal Investigations Division
- Special Investigations Division
- Crime Scene Unit
While an arrest has been made, Sheriff Del Toro emphasized that the department’s thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Carl Smith as they mourn this tragic loss. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office stated they remain deeply committed to securing justice on the victim’s behalf.
This investigation remains highly active. Treasure Coast residents or anyone with additional information regarding this case are strongly encouraged to contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (772) 462-3230 or submit a tip via email to CrimeInfo@stluciesheriff.gov.
