TAMPA, Florida – More than a month after being reported missing, the body of 24-year-old John Larson has been located. Larson disappeared while on the way to meet friends in Ybor City.
Tampa police found the missing father’s body late Wednesday – not far from where family members have spent weeks searching for him.
Detectives say the body was found in the 900 block of S. 20th Street around 6:30 p.m. inside an enclosed area of a commercial business parking lot, not far from where Larson was last seen before disappearing in late April.
“This is not the outcome we hoped for as we searched for John”, said Chief Mary O’Connor. “Our thoughts are with his family during this time of grieving, and I have made our Police Chaplains available for any assistance they may need”.
Larson was supposed to meet his friends in Ybor on April 26. That night, just before midnight, Larson texted his friends to let them know he had parked, but he never showed up.
Surveillance video captured his blue pickup truck turning left onto North 15th Street from East Palm Avenue around 11:30 that night. His cell phone was last pinged near DeSoto Park and his driver’s license was found there just last week.
There have been several searches near the park but very few leads or answers. At this point, police say they are canvassing, checking for cameras or any other clues that can help with the investigation. Police say this is an active investigation with full toxicology results pending.
