Body Found In Retention Pond, Suspect Charged: St. Pete Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Charges have been filed against a suspect in the death of a 42-year-old man whose body was found in a retention pond near 2007 Gandy Boulevard last month, according to a St. Petersburg Police Department news release.

Amjad Namrouti, 28, was charged with first-degree murder, a felony, in the death of Jamie Hobdy, the agency said.

Hobdy’s family reported him missing to police on Dec. 9. Evidence led detectives to search the area near the retention pond.

On Dec. 12, at the request of SPPD, the St. Pete Fire/Rescue Dive Team recovered the victim’s body from the pond, police said.

During their investigation, detectives learned that Namrouti and Hobdy had an altercation that involved illegal drugs, resulting in Hobdy’s death, SPPD said.

Detectives obtained a warrant for Namrouti’s arrest. He was taken into custody Friday by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. Over the next several days, he’ll be transferred to Pinellas County, police said.