Detectives from the Robbery & Homicide Unit are investigating a death following the discovery of a body along the shoreline at Jungle Prada de Narvaez Park in St. Petersburg.
On February 1, 2026, a citizen reported finding the body of a deceased man wearing a personal flotation device near the Jungle Prada boat ramp. The St. Petersburg Police Department responded and began an investigation, calling for assistance from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Flight Unit to search for any vessels nearby.
The PCSO Flight Unit found an overturned vessel south of the War Veteran’s Memorial Park boat ramp. Deputies also located a vehicle with a small boat trailer parked in the lot. Because of where the vehicle was found, PCSO took over the investigation.
Detectives determined that Jeremy Allen Franklin, age 50, had recently bought a small homemade vessel and went out on the water alone. At some point, his vessel overturned and he entered the water and died.
“The death does not appear suspicious.”
Next of kin have been notified.
The investigation is ongoing.
