Having just spoken to the GBI agent in charge of this investigation to ensure there had been no developments I was unaware of, I can say that this was an extremely complicated case. On its face it initially appeared to involve foul play, but every lead was exhausted over many months and across several states.

There was a preponderance of evidence available despite the individual being found on a riverbank, and the conclusion of my investigation was that the cause of death was a GSW and the manner was suicide. This was also, and remains the conclusion of the GBI.

Thank you for your clarification. You have such an important and meaningful job. Thank you so much for what you do. I know it must sometimes be really hard. Not a job I think I would be able to handle. It takes a really special person to do it.

I was the Coroner on this case. This information provided here is incorrect and misleading. I have just joined and researched a few other of my cases (I had over 400 in total) and am bemused by the discrepancies between my notes, and the media reporting………

On Monday, January 31, 2022 a fisherman in Jekyll Creek, Jekyll Island, Georgia found what he first thought was a bag of trash and then discovered the body of 19-year-old Fitzjerold Mickover Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Baptiste had recently moved to Jacksonville, Florida from Central Islip, New York. An autopsy determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took the lead on what was classified as a homicide.

Family and friends described Jean-Baptiste as a loving, generous young man and a talented musician who played piano, saxophone, and guitar. A GoFundMe page was set up to support his family. Despite an early public appeal for information, no suspects have been named and no arrests announced; the investigation remains active.

If anyone has information about Jean-Baptiste or the circumstances that led to his death, please share what you know with the GBI.