Brother Arrested in Death of Man Found near Trash Bin

Ricky Boutwell was arrested Friday morning in the death of his brother, David, whose body was found wrapped in plastic and stashed under a mattress near a trash bin at the Harbor Lights Mobile Home Park on Bay Pines Boulevard.

Ricky Boutwell, 52, of 10720 54th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg, is charged with failure to report his brother's death to the medical examiner, according to a report from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Boutwell told investigators he and his brother had been drinking and got into a fight Monday, watched TV at their home most of the day Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning he found his brother dead. He said he hid the body because he was afraid he would be blamed.

David Boutwell's body was found late Thursday at the mobile home park and was identified through fingerprints, according to the report. Although deputies reported no signs of obvious trauma, an autopsy was conducted Friday morning, and lab tests are expected to take several weeks. Boutwell had pre-existing health problems, according to the report.

Ricky Boutwell's bail was set at $150.