Gulfport Beach Drowning Victim Identified

The Gulfport Police Department has released the name of the man found dead along the beachfront last week.

According to the agency, David Scheffler, 35, was found on the beachfront the morning of Oct. 8. Scheffler died from what police say was an apparent drowning.

Scheffler’s identity wasn’t released until Tuesday, Oct. 13, to give officials time to notify his next of kin.

“All investigative leads show that the victim was a transient and there are no known connections to a next of kin,” the agency said Tuesday.

Scheffler’s body was discovered after the agency received a call about an overturned canoe. The police department’s marine unit and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue responded and conducted a search. Scheffler’s body was recovered from the water just after 11 a.m. southeast of William’s Pier.

Police say the drowning is believed to be accidental.

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