Christopher Menzies, a 26-year-old Jamaican national residing in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was tragically found dead on December 22, 2021. Menzies, who worked in Miramar Beach, left his workplace around 9 p.m. on the night of his death and drove two co-workers home. According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), one of his co-workers reported that Menzies dropped her off in Fort Walton Beach around 10 p.m. and then left for an unknown location.
Approximately 45 minutes later, Menzies was discovered lying partially in an eastbound lane of U.S. Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators believe the shooting occurred at the location where his body was found.
The OCSO found Menzies' gray 2008 Honda Odyssey van the following day, backed into a wooded lot on Parkview Road near the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club. The vehicle appeared to have been abandoned, and residents in the area did not recognize it. The authorities have not identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with Menzies' murder. The investigation remains ongoing, with the OCSO seeking surveillance footage and additional information from the public to aid in solving the case.
An $8,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest. This reward is a combined effort from Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers, which contributed $3,000, and the Florida Sheriff’s Association Criminal Apprehension Assistance Program, which added another $5,000. The OCSO continues to encourage anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in resolving this tragic case.
