Dead Man Found On Mulberry Sidewalk Identified: Sheriff

MULBERRY, FL —Police have identified a dead man who was found on the sidewalk near the Mulberry Phosphate Museum on Friday morning, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies said 41-year-old John McCoy Jr. was discovered unresponsive by a man walking to work just before 7 a.m. at 101 First Street Southeast.

"Detectives worked all day Friday, and continue to work in order to determine what happened in the final minutes of his life," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "At this point in the investigation, we know that Mr. McCoy suffered blunt-force injuries, but we aren't positive how he got them."

The victim's sister told police he had smoked marijuana and appeared to be paranoid when he left her house the night before, investigators said.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is asking for anyone with information about the victim's death to call investigators at 863-298-6200.

Original Patch Story:

A dead body was found just before 7 a.m. on Friday in the Mulberry area, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies said the body was found in the area of Canal Street and Church Avenue.

That's all the information the Polk County Sheriff's Office has released.

This is a developing story. Patch will keep you updated on the story.