Man dies after he was found covered in burns in Port Charlotte Dillard’s parking lot

Reporter: Taylor Wirtz Writer: Julianna Perez
Published: Updated:

Update: The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on Thursday, deeming the incident as mental health-related. CCSO will not release the individual’s name out of respect for the family.


Deputies and fire marshals are investigating the death of a man who was found covered head to toe in burns in the Port Charlotte Town Center Dillard’s parking lot.

Charlotte County Fire Department and Emergency Services first responded to reports of a man with burns all over his body Tuesday afternoon.

Eyewitness accounts reported seeing a person screaming and running.

Aeromed was called to the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall parking lot.

As the helicopter landed, the victim went into cardiac arrest. According to Charlotte County, when this occurs, emergency crews transport the patient by ground “because there is not enough room in the helicopter to provide proper cardiac care and perform CPR.”

Doctors later pronounced him dead at the hospital.

A CCSO forensics team responded to the scene.

The Charlotte County Fire Marshal was also on the scene and the State Fire Marshal is assisting with the investigation.

By 4:30 p.m., the scene was cleared. However, the investigation remains ongoing.

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