Witnesses Sought for Questioning in Sarasota Death

The Sarasota Police Department is looking for help identifying two people it says are possible witnesses in a death investigation that was launched over the weekend.

The victim, Derek Dewey, 28, was dropped off at Sarasota Memorial Hospital around 3:30 p.m. Sunday by the two men. The men, however, left without providing information to hospital staff about themselves or Dewey, who ultimately died. Now, police would like to speak to the two men and say, “investigators are confident there is no danger to the public.”

In an email to media, police said the cause of Dewey’s death remains unknown at this time. The two men, they said, left the hospital in a dark colored, possibly blue, Dodge minivan. While the men didn’t leave information about themselves behind, their images were captured on surveillance. The men police would like to interview are described as:

• Witness one – A white male who is about 30 years old and is heavy set. He has brown or black hair and was last seen wearing shorts, tennis shoes and a white T-shirt.
• Witness two - A black male in his mid- to late 20s. The man has a thin build and was last seen wearing jeans, a white T-shirt and Nike sandals.

Anyone who can identify the men is asked to call Det. Gary McDowell at 941-364-7309. Anonymous tips may also be left with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477) or going online to www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.

Surveillance photos courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department

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