Police release name of man found dead in Cape home last week
Cape Coral police have identified a body found inside a home last week.
Leroy James Taylor Sr., 91, of 505 S.W. 49th Lane, was discovered dead inside of his home July 18 after authorities received a call about an unknown problem and a man down. The call came in as medical at about 11:30 a.m.
Two construction workers reported that there was someone inside the residence who was possibly dead, adding that there was a strong odor of gasoline coming from the home, according to fire department officials.
Upon arrival, fire crews entered the home and checked for gas levels.
Officials stated that there were “abnormal readings” on the gas monitor.
Crews on scene did not indicate in a report the exact gases or levels.
As of Wednesday, police officials could not comment on cause of death.
“Our detectives are still working with the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the manner of death,” Lt. Tony Sizemore said in a statement.
According to police reports, a vehicle was reported stolen July 18 from Taylor’s residence and Taylor is listed as the victim. The vehicle is a 2000, four-door Ford Focus LX that is blue. The Florida license plate is N754FV.
The report states that the vehicle is valued at approximately $9,000.
Joe Hansen of 425 S.W. 49th Lane said last week that the elderly man, named Leroy, had been renting the home for about a year and a half. The two men talked on a regular basis when Hansen would be out walking his dogs.
“He was a very nice guy,” he said, adding that Leroy used a walker.
“I found him very interesting,” Hansen said.
He believed his neighbor was a carpenter or tradesman as he always had lumber in his truck. He may have been a veteran because he spoke of World War II.
“I thought he was a very nice man,” Hansen said.
There was a middle-aged man who appeared to live with Leroy, who Hansen believed had once introduced himself as Leroy’s son. Hansen said he spoke to him Sunday morning and the man asked for Hansen’s number for his father.
Hansen said he did not provide the man with his number at the time.