Preston Burnett, a 29-year-old resident of Lakeland, Florida, was found dead on May 10, 2017, in the woods near the former Skyview Golf Course. His body was discovered by a passerby around 5:30 p.m., prompting a homicide investigation by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Burnett had been violently murdered, and an autopsy was conducted to determine the official cause of death.
Authorities reported that Burnett had been seen in downtown Auburndale shortly before his death, and he had mentioned to his ex-girlfriend that he was concerned about being found by certain individuals. This led investigators to believe that Burnett had been targeted and followed before his death.
The investigation quickly led to the arrests of Christopher Clardy, 39, and Jamie "Jamo" Garst, 30, who were charged with first-degree murder in connection with Burnett's death. Clardy and Garst were also charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Garst faced an additional charge of tampering with evidence. According to reports, Clardy and Garst had been involved in an altercation with Burnett in the days leading up to his death. On the day of the murder, Burnett had asked for a ride to another location, and Clardy and Garst drove him to the Skyview area, where Clardy shot Burnett multiple times.
The case against Clardy and Garst was strengthened by evidence found at the crime scene, including a keychain with photos that led detectives to Garst. Additionally, Garst's vehicle was seen on video in the area on the day of the murder. During an interview with detectives, Garst admitted his involvement and provided a video recording of the shooting, in which Clardy could be heard threatening Burnett. Clardy initially denied his involvement but later confessed after hearing the audio recording. Both men were indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder charges and were held without bail in the Polk County Jail.
The murder of Preston Burnett shocked the Lakeland community, and a reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. The investigation revealed that Burnett had been homeless and had moved between various locations, including his ex-girlfriend's house. The motive for the murder was linked to a personal dispute between Burnett and Clardy, with Clardy claiming that Burnett had mistreated his family. The case highlighted the dangers faced by vulnerable individuals and the importance of community cooperation in solving violent crimes.
