Roland Lee Orrison Jr., aged 37, tragically lost his life on December 5, 2016, in Cocoa Beach, Florida. His body was discovered the following day, floating on a rubber raft in the Banana River, a popular area known for its fishing and hunting activities. The initial discovery was made by a Brevard County Sheriff's Office helicopter crew during a routine flyover. Orrison's death was immediately deemed suspicious due to the circumstances surrounding the discovery of his body.
The investigation quickly revealed that Orrison had been shot in the back of the head, leading authorities to classify his death as a homicide. Further inquiries pointed to a financial dispute between Orrison and his business partner, Christopher William Herr. The two men were involved in a commercial diving business, and it was reported that they had met at their business warehouse in the early hours of December 5. During this meeting, it is believed that Herr shot Orrison in the head and later disposed of his body in the Banana River.
Christopher Herr was arrested on December 16, 2016, following a joint investigation by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and the St. Cloud Police Department. Herr faced charges of premeditated murder and tampering with evidence. The investigation uncovered that Herr had purchased a rubber raft similar to the one in which Orrison's body was found. Additionally, security footage and witness testimonies placed Herr at the scene with a tarp and a .38-caliber revolver, which was later found by a tourist.
The case against Herr was built on substantial evidence, including blood and a .38-caliber projectile found in Herr's storage unit. Orrison had expressed concerns about the meeting with Herr to his family, indicating that he felt something was amiss. This premonition, combined with the financial dispute and the physical evidence, formed the basis of the prosecution's case against Herr. The investigation into Orrison's death remains a poignant reminder of the dangers that can arise from business disputes and the tragic consequences that can follow.
