The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death after a body was discovered Sunday morning along the shoreline near 12900 Indian River Drive.
According to deputies, the victim has been identified as 18-year-old Elias J. Ramos of Volusia County. Authorities say a local boater spotted what appeared to be a body floating in the water around 9 a.m. and immediately contacted law enforcement.
“They found what they believe was a dead body, floating in the water,” said Capt. Joseph Abollo of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators believe Ramos may be connected to a series of events that unfolded several days earlier in neighboring South Brevard County. According to officials, Sebastian Police Department officers had been involved in an incident that reportedly began as a family dispute.
“There was an incident that occurred there, a few nights back. It was a family dispute,” Abollo said. “He then somehow ended up in Palm Beach County.”
Authorities say Ramos was medically evaluated in Palm Beach County before allegedly stealing a vehicle and traveling north. Law enforcement officials report that a vehicle pursuit followed, eventually transitioning into a foot chase along U.S. 1 on the Brevard County side.
“That’s when the chase went on. And then it ended up being a foot pursuit, and then he ran all up and down U.S.1, Brevard County side, and jumped into the water,” Abollo explained.
After Ramos entered the Indian River Lagoon, multiple agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a coordinated search effort. Despite extensive efforts, authorities were unable to locate him at the time.
Based on weather conditions and current investigative findings, officials now believe the body may have drifted south through the lagoon before eventually washing ashore in Indian River County.
“It was extremely cold, 30-40 degrees,” Abollo said. “So, at this time, we don’t exactly know the cause of death. It could’ve been hypothermia, drowning, we don’t know at this time.”
The body has been turned over to the medical examiner’s office, where an autopsy will determine the official cause and manner of death. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as they work to piece together the timeline of events leading up to Ramos’ death.
The sheriff’s office has not indicated any foul play at this stage but continues to review evidence and circumstances surrounding the case.