Man found offshore of Ballast Key is identified

Key West – Sheriff’s detectives have identified the manwhose body was found floating just offshore of Ballast Key September 3^rd.
The man has been identified as 28 year old Erik Jenkinson ofArlington, Massachusetts. Detectives matched fingerprints taken from the bodywith fingerprints from arrest records from Allentown, Pennsylvania.
On August 31^st, Sgt. Tom Walker took a report ofa pickup truck which was found burned on Calle Dos, on Rockland Key. The truckappeared to have crashed into a wooded area and the fire had destroyed allidentifying markers, including the vehicle identification number on the dashand on the driver’s side door.
The truck was towed by Alex’s Towing. The two companylocated a partially burned piece of the truck’s registration and sent a letterto the address on the paperwork. When Jenkinson’s family got the letter, theycalled the Sheriff’s Office to find out more information.
The family said their son had been missing for a few weeks;they said he has a medical condition and would sometimes take long trips, buthe was supposed to be in Massachusetts for a family activity and had not shownup.
They described their son to Major Crimes Detective MannyCuervo, who noted many similarities with the body that had been found. Thefamily told Detective Cuervo their son did have an arrest record, and had beenfingerprinted.
The fingerprint comparison confirmed the identification ofJenkinson.
Detective Cuervo says he would still like to find out howJenkinson wound up in the water and will continue to investigate the case. Hesaid the autopsy showed no signs of foul play, but he would like to know whathappened to Jenkinson in the hours and days before his death.
Anyone with any information should contact the Sheriff’sOffice at 305-289-2351. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers of the Florida Keys. The Crime Stoppers hot line number is1-800-346-TIPS. Tips may also be submitted on line at tipsubmit.com.