What was intended to be a peaceful afternoon reeling in snapper and black drum quickly became an unforgettable and unsettling ordeal for two fishermen in Indian River County. While visiting a popular local angling spot near the Sebastian River Bridge, Charles Floyd and his cousin stumbled upon a deceased man along the shoreline, marking the first of two unrelated bodies found in the immediate area within a span of just three days.
The incident unfolded on the sweltering afternoon of Monday, July 6, when temperatures soared past 90 degrees. The pair had ventured to the base of the bridge, a scenic juncture where the St. Sebastian River meets the Indian River Lagoon. Floyd noted that fishing is a frequent weekend hobby for them, cherished for the peace and relaxation it usually brings to their lives. However, that tranquility was abruptly shattered when his cousin spotted what appeared to be a person resting face-down near the coastal mangroves.
Upon approaching the man—later identified by deputies as 44-year-old James Thompson of Palm Bay—the fishermen realized the severity of the situation. The man was completely unresponsive, and they noticed severe discoloration on his wrists. He was dressed in blue jeans, a black hoodie, and blue basketball shorts, positioned roughly four feet from the water’s edge. Floyd observed that the thick local mangroves likely prevented the body from washing ashore from the current, indicating he had been on the land.
Going fishing and stumbling across a body…that doesn’t happen every day. I’m at a loss for words.
The mystery briefly deepened just two days later when a different fisherman discovered a second body on the southeast side of the very same bridge, approximately 100 yards away from where Thompson was found. The close proximity and timing of the two discoveries immediately captured the attention of the surrounding Treasure Coast community.
In a press briefing addressing the unsettling finds, Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers clarified the situation, dispelling rumors of a connection or localized threat.
Key Investigative Findings:
While official toxicology reports are still pending to definitively confirm the exact causes of death for both men, Sheriff Flowers publicly commended the local fishermen for their vigilance and prompt reporting to law enforcement.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Floyd expressed deep sympathy for Thompson’s relatives. He shared his hopes that the discovery would at least bring some measure of closure to the grieving family, while also praising the deputies of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office for their swift, respectful, and highly professional handling of the tragic scene.
