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Skeletal Remains Identified As Man Missing Since April

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: November 20, 2007

MADEIRA BEACH - Skeletal remains found underneath a business on Saturday belong to 53-year-old Willliam Joseph Oberle, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said today.

Oberle, whose last known residence was at Gloria Manor, 9000 86th Ave. N. in Seminole, was reported missing from the adult living facility on April 14.

Workers renovating a business formerly known as Wicked Gifts, 110 129th Ave. E., found the skeletal remains in a crawl space at 3 p.m.

Investigators were able to identify tattoos still visible on the decomposed remains. Detectives used a database to form a tentative identification based upon the tattoos, which was later confirmed through medical records.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause and manner of death. Detectives are also looking into how Oberle's remains came to be under the business.

Oberle last was seen on April 13 at Gloria Manor.

An employee called deputies the next day to report that Oberle had left in a taxi shortly after arriving there from another facility. It was also reported that Oberle had left without medication he needed for a medical condition.

At the time, detectives investigating his disappearance determined that he had been dropped off by a taxi in the Madeira Beach area. However, no more information on Oberle's whereabouts was developed.

Anyone with information concerning this investigation is asked to contact Detective Keith Johnson of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at (727) 582-6200, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@tampatrib.com.

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