Media Release
Public Information Officer:
Sergeant Thomas Woodman
727-893-1051 (office)
727-582-6177 (communications center)
[email protected]
Sergeant Thomas Woodman
727-893-1051 (office)
727-582-6177 (communications center)
[email protected]
Subject: Arrest Made in 2020 Pinellas Trail Homicide Investigation
Date: 05/28/21
Narrative
Gulfport, FL-- Gulfport detectives made an arrest in the 2020 Pinellas Trail homicide investigation, (original post below). Continued collaborative efforts between the Gulfport Police Department and the St Petersburg Police Department have identified a suspect in this case.
On 05/26/21, the suspect, identified as Andy R. Bryant, was arrested. He was charged with Arson and Abuse of a Dead Human Body. Homicide charges were not brought against Bryant because the investigation, coupled with the autopsy and toxicology reports, did not support that charge. The investigation supported the fact that the victim died from other means and that Bryant disposed of the body by placing it in the trunk of the vehicle and burning them both. Bryant confessed to Gulfport detectives of locating the victim deceased and disposing of the body in the above manner.
Based on the condition of the skeletal remains found in the trunk, no evidence was identified showing trauma at or around the time of death according to the forensic anthropologist.
At this time, the medical examiner’s office has listed the cause and manner of death as undetermined.
Bryant is currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail with a $500,000 bond.
Suspect:
Andy R. Bryant
DOB: 05/05/1987
Address: Transient
Previous Releases:
Subject: Homicide on the Pinellas Trail
Date: 09/24/20
Narrative
Gulfport, FL-- Update 09/24/20: Body found in Burned Car
The body found burned in a car earlier this week was identified through dental records. The victim is Jesus Manuel Tavarez-Soto, DOB 1-5-65. The burned vehicle, a 2014 black Nissan Sentra, was registered to the victim.
A cyclist discovered the burned car at 6 a.m., Monday, September 21st, on the Skyway Trail of the Pinellas Trail Network, near the Twin Brooks golf course.
Also, St. Petersburg Police Department and the Gulfport Police Department are now working this case as a joint investigation. The loop of the trail where the burned car was located is within the City of Gulfport’s jurisdiction. Moving forward, all information will be released jointly.
If anyone has information on this case, please contact Gulfport Police Dispatch at 727-582-6177, or email [email protected]
Previous Release by the St Petersburg Police Department:
Update: Body Found in Burned Car
The victim is an adult male. We have no new information to release on the car, other than it is a sedan.
Detectives continue to track down leads and tips. We encourage anyone with information to call our non-emergency line, 893-7780.
-----------------previous release-------------------------------
Shortly after 6AM St.Pete Fire Rescue responded to a car fire on the Pinellas Trail behind the Twin Brooks golf course near 22nd Ave., South and 41st St. S.
After the fire was out, firefighters discovered a body in the trunk. Police are now investigating. The body is too badly Burned to determine race or sex, etc.
The area where the car was located is very hard to get to as you cannot get near it in a car. PIO Fernandez is on the way. Please park at the post office parking lot at 22nd Ave., South and 43rd St., South.
Report 2020-033881
Date: 05/28/21
Narrative
Gulfport, FL-- Gulfport detectives made an arrest in the 2020 Pinellas Trail homicide investigation, (original post below). Continued collaborative efforts between the Gulfport Police Department and the St Petersburg Police Department have identified a suspect in this case.
On 05/26/21, the suspect, identified as Andy R. Bryant, was arrested. He was charged with Arson and Abuse of a Dead Human Body. Homicide charges were not brought against Bryant because the investigation, coupled with the autopsy and toxicology reports, did not support that charge. The investigation supported the fact that the victim died from other means and that Bryant disposed of the body by placing it in the trunk of the vehicle and burning them both. Bryant confessed to Gulfport detectives of locating the victim deceased and disposing of the body in the above manner.
Based on the condition of the skeletal remains found in the trunk, no evidence was identified showing trauma at or around the time of death according to the forensic anthropologist.
At this time, the medical examiner’s office has listed the cause and manner of death as undetermined.
Bryant is currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail with a $500,000 bond.
Suspect:
Andy R. Bryant
DOB: 05/05/1987
Address: Transient
Previous Releases:
Subject: Homicide on the Pinellas Trail
Date: 09/24/20
Narrative
Gulfport, FL-- Update 09/24/20: Body found in Burned Car
The body found burned in a car earlier this week was identified through dental records. The victim is Jesus Manuel Tavarez-Soto, DOB 1-5-65. The burned vehicle, a 2014 black Nissan Sentra, was registered to the victim.
A cyclist discovered the burned car at 6 a.m., Monday, September 21st, on the Skyway Trail of the Pinellas Trail Network, near the Twin Brooks golf course.
Also, St. Petersburg Police Department and the Gulfport Police Department are now working this case as a joint investigation. The loop of the trail where the burned car was located is within the City of Gulfport’s jurisdiction. Moving forward, all information will be released jointly.
If anyone has information on this case, please contact Gulfport Police Dispatch at 727-582-6177, or email [email protected]
Previous Release by the St Petersburg Police Department:
Update: Body Found in Burned Car
The victim is an adult male. We have no new information to release on the car, other than it is a sedan.
Detectives continue to track down leads and tips. We encourage anyone with information to call our non-emergency line, 893-7780.
-----------------previous release-------------------------------
Shortly after 6AM St.Pete Fire Rescue responded to a car fire on the Pinellas Trail behind the Twin Brooks golf course near 22nd Ave., South and 41st St. S.
After the fire was out, firefighters discovered a body in the trunk. Police are now investigating. The body is too badly Burned to determine race or sex, etc.
The area where the car was located is very hard to get to as you cannot get near it in a car. PIO Fernandez is on the way. Please park at the post office parking lot at 22nd Ave., South and 43rd St., South.
Report 2020-033881