The Flagler Beach Police Department announced that they're investigating a 'suspicious death' that occurred in the city last week, according to a release sent out on the matter. The agency is working alongside the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, and the State Medical Examiner's Office to investigate the death of 66-year-old Sally Byrd.
"Our Department, along with assistance from our local partners at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office and Medical Examiners Office are working in unison to do our due diligence so that we can piece together exactly what happened to cause Ms. Byrd’s death," FBPD Chief Matt Doughney said in his statement.
According to the release, the late Byrd was a resident of the Pebble Beach Village community just before Gamble Rogers State Park on the far south side of town. As Dougney said Byrd's cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but he did confirm a 'person of interest' was arrested in Georgia, and is to be extradited back to Flagler County to face charges.
The suspect was identified as 64-year-old David Brownstone, who was reportedly arrested in Washington County, GA after being discovered with Byrd's vehicle. He was charged with grand theft and speeding in excess of maximum limits, and remains in custody there awaiting extradition. Brownstone's residence was listed as being an apartment in Santa Barbara, California. Doughney stated that investigators with the FBPD have been in Washington County working the case since Friday.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Byrd’s family and friends during this most difficult of times," Doughney continued. "We’re committed to determine how Ms. Byrd passed away, and out of respect for the family and to preserve the integrity of this investigation, there will be no further comment until the official cause of death has been determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office."
Further comment from the Flagler Beach Police Department and/or other involved agencies is expected once an official cause of death can be determined by the State Medical Examiner's Office. While foul play is a natural conclusion for the community, that has not been confirmed or even alluded to thus far in official police statements.
