Detective William Still of the CCSO Major Crimes Bureau said he believes Black probably had been dead 24-36 hours when his body was discovered along the L-28 canal near the 52 mile marker of Interstate 75 between Collier and Broward counties. Details about how Black died are not being released because of the active investigation.
Still, the lead investigator in the case, said he determined that Black had been killed at another location and his body dumped in the spot where it was found.
Still learned that Black was living alone in Sunrise in Broward County at the time of his death. Still said he searched Black’s apartment and determined he had not been killed there.
Black, who went by his middle name Charles, was a loner who was known to frequent dog and horse racing tracks on the east coast. He was also known to frequent prostitutes and use illegal drugs, Still said.
Still said Black was “very noticeable,” noting that he had a heavy build and a large cyst at the top of his head. Black had no means of transportation other than the public transportation system.
“His being brought over to Collier County and left in the area is indicative of the person or persons responsible for his death having picked him up and providing him transportation, at least at some point, before he was murdered and brought over to our area,” Still said.
Still said Black has family in the Fort Lauderdale area and a mother in New York who want justice in the case.
“Even though he had somewhat of a colorful lifestyle, his family did very much love him and are very much interested in finding out who is responsible for his death,” Still said.
(Source: Collier County Sheriff's Office)
