Local socialite dies in Naples fire

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NAPLES, Fla. -Family and friends are mourning the loss of 32-year-old Steven Leonard, a local socialite, killed in a building fire.

Police say they found his body in his apartment on the second floor. Teams searched the apartment twice before coming across the tragic loss.

Only in his early 30s, Leonard was described as vibrant, fun loving and charitable. WINK News spoke with him in 2010 about a theft at Port Royal Jewelers where he worked.

Most recently, he had risen in the public eye as a local reality TV star. Leonard was best known as a good friend to the women of Paradise Coast Wives.

“It’s devastating,” saID Chuck Ardezzone who’s company, ITZ Media Group, films the show. “I mean, he is a great guy and always fun. [He’s] always smiling, had good engery and kept everyone laughing. It’s a tragedy…it’s horrible.”

WINK News reached out to the girls of the cast Friday night but agents and crew say they’re too distraught.

“They’re just crying…and nobody can believe it,” said Ardezzone. “I’ve been getting calls from all the wives on the show.”

Steven’s life was cut short after flames burst into his apartment on 5th Avenue South early Friday morning. Firefighters put out the flames in 15 minutes and soon after made the tragic discovery.

“Unfortunately, we found a body on the second floor,” said Chief Steve McInerny of the Naples Fire Department.

“It still doesn’t feel like it’s real,” said Ardezzone. “It doesn’t.”

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