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Police Say Body Found In Bay Is Missing Tampa Man

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2008

Updated: 09/22/2008 03:05 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - St. Petersburg investigators say the body of Jason Michael Downey, 31, was found floating in Tampa Bay on Sunday morning.

His aunt, Val Stubl, has her doubts.

Downey's license was in a pocket of the man found in the water, and the body was wearing jeans, boots and a black long-sleeve shirt – an outfit Downey often wore. Stubl said she still wants to identify Downey's body this afternoon.

"For closure, I need to do it," she said. "He's going to be cremated. What if he's cremated and it isn't him? I need to see him."

The death remains under investigation.

A preliminary autopsy on Downey by the Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner's Office revealed no obvious signs of trauma, St. Petersburg Police Department spokesman Bill Proffitt said.

"They just don't see any signs of homicidal violence or signs of trauma to the body," Proffitt said. Still, the death is considered suspicious, and toxicology tests are pending.

"We'd like to find out what he was doing at that location prior to his death and what happened to his car," Proffitt said.

Downey, of 708 W. Euclid Ave., Tampa, was found floating in the Bay near Interstate 275 and Fourth Street North about 10:30 a.m. Sunday, investigators said. Downey was reported missing Saturday after friends became alarmed because he did not show up for work.

Downey had met with friends Thursday night at Georgie's Alibi, 3100 Third Ave. N. He reportedly left the bar about 2 a.m. Friday but never made it home.

Downey, a technician for an Apollo Beach veterinarian, was at the bar with his roommate and friends, Stubl said. He and his roommate decided to head home in separate cars. Downey told the roommate he would be right behind him after he finished his cigarette.

The roommate got home and went to bed, and when he left for work, Downey still wasn't home, Stubl said.

Downey's family tried to find him. Stubl called Downey's cell phone, but it went straight to voice mail.

The family called local hospitals looking for him or a John Doe. They checked to see whether Downey had been arrested. They asked around at the bar. They drove around St. Petersburg looking for his car. They also filed a missing person's report with police.

Investors told Stubl they found the body miles away but are still looking for Downey's 1998 green Toyota RAV4 with Florida tag 828HWN.

Leslie Sierra, Downey's boss, said Downey has worked at Sierra Animal Hospital since it opened in January. In addition to his role as a technician, Downey was an office manager.

"He was very reliable and very good with people," Sierra said. "Good people skills. A very good team player. Clients really loved him."

Downey, a former flight attendant, was happy, upbeat and enjoyed life, Sierra said.

He enjoyed camping and traveling.

"For a short life, he lived his life better than most people," Sierra said.

Stubl said Downey was a wonderful person who did everything for everybody.

Stubl, 28, considers him more like a brother than a nephew. She said Downey, who grew up in South Florida, enjoyed life and tried really hard all the time.

"I just want to scream," she said.

Stubl said the past few days have been terrible for the family.

"It's been horrible. A shock," she said. "His little sister – she's 11 – we just sat and said this can't be real."

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

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