‘Unsolved Mysteries' Tackles Death Of Manatee County School Librarian

MANATEEE COUNTY, FL — A Manatee County cold-case death is featured in the new season of Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries.”

While some episodes from the series’ latest season were released Oct. 18 and 25, episode seven, “Body in the Bay,” which explores the death of Manatee County educator Patrick Lee Mullins will be available to stream Nov. 1, according to a Facebook page run by his family and dedicated to solving the mystery surrounding how he died.

Mullins, a librarian at Palmetto High School, went missing on Jan. 27, 2013, after taking his boat out on the Braden River, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

His boat was found two days later with no one aboard it. Seven days later, the 52-year-old’s body was discovered tied to a 25-pound anchor in four feet of water off Emerson Point, reports said.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office called his death a suicide. He died from a shotgun blast to the head.

But Mullins’ family doesn’t believe he took his own life, and, after accusing MCSO of mishandling the case, have asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to reopen the investigation, according to reports. FDLE said this is unlikely to happen.

“On the day Pat went missing, he purchased items at Tractor Supply for future use. Pat frequently talked about his post-retirement work notions with his brothers and best buddies. Pat had begun preparing plans for his 30th wedding anniversary the following June. Pat was enthusiastic about looking forward to being a grandfather,” his family wrote in a 2021 Facebook post.

They added, “MCSO even reached out to the vendors at the Palmetto Gun Show to see if anyone recognized Pat. No one did. Pat's home and work computers were examined. Nothing suggestive of suicide preparations was found.”

The family is operating a memorial fund in his name, as well, raising money to serve as a reward if the case is reopened. If the mystery of his death is solved without using the funds, it will be donated to the Palmetto High School Music Program.

Now, “Unsolved Mysteries” will explore his death and the investigation into it in detail.

“Please watch the episode,” his family wrote on Facebook. "We need your help to solve this crime.”