Seventeen-year-old John Welles was found dead on July 8, 2003, in a ditch near Joshua Creek in Arcadia, Florida. He had been last seen about 11:30 a.m. after visiting a local Walmart and became unreachable soon afterward. His body was discovered floating in the ditch near his vehicle; an autopsy determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, prompting a homicide investigation.

The scene had been disturbed before investigators arrived and some evidence was reportedly missing. Early on there was speculation that he had slipped and drowned, but the autopsy indicated a gunshot. The inquiry faced limited witness information and few tangible leads; several people were considered, and family members were alleged to have removed items before a full assessment. A 2006 tip came from a teenager implicating her then-boyfriend and mentioning familiarity with the type of gun involved, but that lead was not pursued fully at the time.

A later report suggested the death may have resulted from an accidental discharge as a firearm fell from a holster while he dismounted his vehicle, and the investigation was closed after that finding. Many questions about what happened remain open. If anyone knew John, saw him that day, or has information about the ditch, the vehicle, or the people mentioned, please share what is known.