He tried for a new life but someone ended it

The body of a troubled man is found with extensive injuries in a Tampa storefront.

By CASEY CORA and REBECCA CATALANELLO, Times Staff Writers
Published October 13, 2007

Susan Bowers, right, a Tampa Police Officer, takes a call outside of 3004 N. 22nd Street in Tampa early Friday morning. Officer Lisa Parashis, sits in a patrol car.
	[Carrie Pratt | Times]

TAMPA - Kenny Love Washington was getting a boost from an old friend to help get back on his feet after another run-in with the law.

But instead of building a new life, Washington's life ended at age 45, his bloodied body discovered Friday inside a vacant storefront at 3004 N 22nd St.

Tampa police Cpl. Jared Douds said Washington suffered "extreme trauma" to the upper body, but declined to elaborate about how Washington might have died here, in a building bordered on two sides by churches.

No one had been arrested late Friday. Tampa police said the investigation was ongoing.

Harold Jones, with the Morning Glory Funeral Chapel in Tampa, said Washington recently arrived here from Orlando and wanted a new start after a prison stint.

Jones and Washington grew up together, and in an effort to help his former classmate, Jones offered him a job in the funeral business.

Public records show Washington spent much of his life in and out of jail, including serving five stints in state prison on charges that included attempted murder, cocaine possession, aggravated assault and felony battery.

He also had a habit of driving with a suspended license, arrest records show.

That was one reason for his most recent prison term, which ended in December, Department of Corrections records show.

After Washington was arrested again in August for the same offense, he was placed on supervised release.

Jones hoped he could help.

"When a friend's down, you pick him up," Jones said. "He was a man getting a new start."

Jones, who said he's in the process of leasing the building and next-door chapel, was letting Washington stay in a ground floor storefront.

Charity didn't last long.

Washington's body was found about 6:20 a.m., when a co-worker knocked on the wrought iron gate protecting the front door.

When no one answered, Jones said, the co-worker went in a back door.

He found Washington lying in a pool of blood.

Jones said Friday was supposed to be Washington's first day at a new job.

Casey Cora can be reached at 813 226-3386 or at ccora@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 12, 2007, 23:33:42]