Jack Parker was a long-time native to the Fort Myers area who lived there all of his life.

Jack, who was 72 years old at the time of his death, was unfortunately unhoused in Florida and seemed to travel from place to place around the Fort Myers area. Otherwise, no further information is known about Jack or his life.

On the morning of March 26, 1989, Fort Myers authorities received a call regarding a possibly deceased individual in a drainage canal behind the Walmart Plaza.

Shortly after, when sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered Jack’s body in the drainage canal, with a tire stuck around his waist. At the scene, detectives noted drag marks leading into the canal, along with other signs of a struggle in the immediate area.

The following day, Jack’s autopsy was conducted.

The autopsy revealed that Jack’s official cause of death was drowning, though he did suffer a blow to the head and multiple stab wounds on his body. Authorities conclude that Jack may have been rendered unconscious prior to entering the water. Two days after Jack’s body was found, he is officially identified.

Where the case stands today.

Today it has been more than 33 years since Jack’s death and his case remains unsolved. Jack’s case is considered a cold case by investigators, a longstanding title. Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for up to $3,000 for information about the investigation into Jack Parker’s murder. If you have any information, please contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS (8477).