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Man Found In Burned SUV Was Slaying Victim, Deputies Say

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2008

Updated: 10/15/2008 05:52 pm

TAMPA - James Patrick Fry, whose body was found in August in his burned sport utility vehicle, died as a result of a homicide, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said today.

Fry died from smoke inhalation and burns, Carter said. She would not comment further on the causes of death.

Investigators found the 47-year-old's body Aug. 23.

Dental records confirmed the identity of Fry, of 3011 Gandy Blvd. His cause of death was not available
today, Carter said.

Firefighters were called about 2:10 a.m. Aug. 23 to a brush fire near Taylor and Skewlee roads in Thonotosassa. They found the Chevrolet SUV in flames near woods and found the body inside.

Fry's daughter, Stephanie Fry of Sarasota, said in August that she had suspected the body in the SUV was her father's before detectives notified her of the positive identification. She said she had a "gut feeling" that someone killed her father.

"My dad doesn't know Thonotosassa and doesn't go there," Stephanie Fry said in August.

She and her father had been estranged for many years but reunited July 30, Fry said. The last time she heard from him was Aug. 22.

On Aug. 23, James Fry was going to buy her a television for her new apartment in Sarasota. Then they were going to go to Livingston's Amusement Center to eat pizza and shoot pool.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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