Authorities identify homeless man found dead in Holiday

According to a report, the homeless man was found by his traveling companion. No trauma was apparent.

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 6, 2002

HOLIDAY -- The homeless man found dead in the woods behind a Holiday convenience store has been identified as 61-year-old James Obile, a Pasco County Sheriff's Office report said.

According to the report, Obile was found by his travel companion of more than a decade, Paul Murray, at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the woods behind the 7-Eleven store at Moog Road and U.S. 19.

Murray, 63, told deputies that Obile was in very poor health and had lung problems from smoking. He also couldn't walk very well, Murray said.

On Saturday, a sheriff's deputy told the two men to clear out of the woods, where they had been staying, Murray said. Obile told Murray he was going to stay, because he couldn't move very well, Murray told deputies.

Murray went back to check on Obile twice, and the second time he found him dead.

Deputies said Obile didn't appear to have suffered any trauma.

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