Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Robbery/Homicide Unit

Largo Fire Rescue

Rafael Lorenzo Ufret Ortiz (Victim- Deceased)
Senior Spray Technician for Pinellas County Government
DOB: 07/07/1954
3127 38^th Street North, St. Petersburg

What:
Detectives are conducting an investigation after a Pinellas County employee was found deceased along the easement of McKay Creek in unincorporated Largo. 

When:
Detectives responded at about 11:56 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2017.

The victim was pronounced deceased by Largo Fire Rescue at about 12:14 p.m. on Monday, November 27, 2017.

Where:
The incident occurred along the easement of McKay Creek which is located just north of 134^th Avenue North, between Adams Circle and 121^st Street in unincorporated Largo.

Why/How:
Detectives are conducting an investigation after a man was found deceased along the easement of McKay Creek in unincorporated Largo.

At about 11:56 a.m. on November 27, 2017, detectives were called to the easement of McKay Creek which is located just north of 134th Avenue North, between Adams Circle and 121st Street in unincorporated Largo, for a deceased person.

According to detectives the victim, 63 year-old Rafael Lorenzo Ufret Ortiz, a Senior Spray Technician, who has been employed by Pinellas County Government since July 2002, was conducting tests on the water for mosquito control along McKay Creek. Ortiz was last seen heading to his assigned area at about 7:30 a.m. 

At about 11:44 a.m., a citizen notified a park ranger that a county truck appeared stuck on the easement and that the front driver door was left open. The park ranger and another employee drove to where the citizen reported to have seen the truck and discovered Ortiz face-down in the creek.

Ortiz was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The cause of the death is unknown at this time, but does not appear suspicious in nature.

Next of kin has been notified.

The investigation continues.