Man Found Dead at Jehovah's Witness Facility
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
5 March 2015
PALM COAST — A 41-year-old man was found dead inside a dorm room at the Jehovah’s Witness training center in Palm Coast and autopsy results won’t be released until a toxicology report is completed, according to the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Toxicology tests take about 90 days, said Koni Rogers, director of operations at the District 23 office in St. Augustine.
Emergency responders confirmed the deceased was Seante Richardson, 41, of Mobile, Alabama. He had been staying at the training center at 4500 Palm Coast Parkway SE for two weeks and was working on a project to translate the Bible into sign language, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
The Palm Coast Facility of Jehovah’s Witnesses released a statement late Thursday.
“We are saddened by the sudden death of Seante Richardson, one of the Jehovah’s Witnesses from Mobile, Alabama, this past weekend. Seante was at the (facility) temporarily assisting in the production of recordings in American Sign Language. All of us who knew Seante feel a deep loss. We are focusing on providing spiritual encouragement and comfort for his family and friends.”
Deputies were called to the facility shortly after 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Richardson’s wife and co-workers hadn’t heard from him since the previous Friday and contacted administrators at the training center, authorities said.
Someone on the property with a master key entered the room, found Richardson and paramedics were called, according to Sheriff’s Office reports.
Richardson’s wife was contacted by the Sheriff’s Office and notified of her husband’s death. She told deputies Richardson had no medical history and was not on any medications, detectives said.
No identification was found on Richardson or in his room and there were no signs of injury or suspicious activity, according to reports.
Rogers said a toxicology report is routine and preliminary autopsies, normally completed within 24 hours, are not done at her office.
Deputy Paula Priester, a sheriff’s spokeswoman, said her agency had no additional information about the case beyond what was included in the report.
A written statement from the Jehovah’s Witnesses stated the religious organization is “cooperating fully” with the Sheriff’s Office investigation.