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Death investigation under way in Charlotte County wooded area

Rotonda death investigation.jpg
Posted at 2:35 PM, Mar 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-15 10:49:55-04

ROTONDA WEST, Fla. -- A death investigation was launched Thursday after a body was found in a wooded area in Charlotte County.

It's happening off Rotonda Boulevard West just east of Placida Road, inside a homeless camp.

They say the person has not yet been identified but it was a man.

According to Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, someone flagged down an off-duty Punta Gorda Police officer Wednesday night in regards to possibly observing the body in the woods. But deputies say the wrong area was checked.

Thursday morning, a person (possible the same person) called authorities to report the body, and this time deputies were able to locate it.

The sheriff’s office is asking the person who reported the body on Wednesday to contact detectives again.

**UPDATE (3/15)** -- The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office has identified the victim as 40-year-old Ryan Alderman.