Homeless man found dead at Columbia park

Published Monday, March 24, 2008

A homeless man was found dead Saturday afternoon near Flat Branch Park, and authorities say he likely died of natural causes.

Medical personnel found 53-year-old Jerry D. Garrett at about 5:30 p.m. lying on a pillow near the south staircase leading from the park to South Fourth Street, police said. Officers found a backpack nearby with the man’s belongings inside.

Columbia police Sgt. Ken Hammond said foul play was not suspected.

Boone County Deputy Medical Examiner Chris Stacy said an autopsy was performed this morning and that it appeared Garrett’s death was due to natural causes. No other injuries were discovered, he said.

Temperatures on Saturday afternoon hovered in the mid-40s. Stacy said it was unclear if the weather played a part in Garrett’s death. A final cause of death has not been determined.

Steve Jacobs of the St. Francis House men’s homeless shelter said areas around Flat Branch Park have in recent years become a camp for homeless men who actively drink alcohol.

"If they’re drinking, a lot of shelters won’t let them come around," Jacobs said.

Garrett’s death appears to be the second in Columbia this year involving homeless men found dead outside.

The body of 56-year-old Stanley Ray Lamberson was found Feb. 1 by a guest at the Travelodge motel, 900 Vandiver Drive. An initial autopsy report showed no signs of foul play, and police said it appeared Lamberson died of exposure. Snow was found on Lamberson’s body, police said.