Detectives Conduct Death Investigation as a Result of a Vessel Crash (26-014)

St. Petersburg – Detectives assigned to the Robbery & Homicide Unit are conducting a death investigation after a body was found along the shoreline of Jungle Prada de Narvaez Park in St. Petersburg.

On February 1, 2026, a citizen notified the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) they found the body of a deceased male, wearing a personal flotation device, near the Jungle Prada boat ramp. SPPD responded to the scene and began an investigation, requesting assistance from the PCSO Flight Unit to search for a possible vessel in the vicinity.

The Flight Unit located an overturned vessel south of the War Veteran’s Memorial Park boat ramp and deputies located a vehicle with a small boat trailer parked in the parking lot.  Due to the location of the vehicle, PCSO assumed the investigation.

Through the investigation, detectives learned that 50-year-old Jeremy Allen Franklin had recently purchased a small homemade vessel. Franklin brought the vessel out on the water alone and at some point, the vessel overturned and he entered the water and died.

The death does not appear suspicious.

Next of kin has been notified.

The investigation continues.

Additional Information:
Jeremy Allen Franklin (Victim – Deceased)
DOB: 01/18/1976