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Man found slain in home

By JACOB H. FRIES
Published March 3, 2007

CLEARWATER - A 33-year-old Clearwater man was found dead Friday afternoon in his home just north of downtown, police said.

Detectives initially didn't find any evidence that Corey Brown had been killed, until a closer look at his body revealed a small gunshot wound, police spokesman Wayne Shelor said.

Shelor would not say where Brown had been shot.

At 12:35 p.m., a friend concerned about Brown went to his home at 710 Maple St., off Myrtle Avenue and Drew Street. The friend found Brown's body and called police.

Shelor released no other details of the crime late Friday and said investigators had not established a motive in the slaying.

"He was a sweetheart," said aunt Jeannette Jones, watching as forensic specialists examined Brown's front door and windows Friday evening.

"He'd give you anything he had. If you needed some food, he'd buy some. He did not deserve to die."

She said she believed the killer was someone Brown knew, because there was no sign of a struggle or that his door was forced in.

Brown worked as a nursing assistant and had turned his life around, learning from mistakes he made as a younger man, she said.

"He changed his life," added Marcy Adams, 36, a cousin.

"He grew up. ... He didn't bother nobody. He didn't look for trouble. He was the life of the party."

State records show Brown had been arrested 33 times, dating back to 1992. Charges included weapons and drug possession, aggravated battery and robbery.

Staff researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Jacob H. Fries can be reached at 727 445-4156 or jfries@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 3, 2007, 01:40:45]