Craig J. Eli Washtock, a 38-year-old non-binary individual, was found dead on January 31, 2019, in a third-floor unit at the Laterra Condominiums in World Golf Village, Saint Augustine, FL. The death was initially surrounded by speculation, with some considering it a suicide. However, the District 23 Medical Examiner's Office later ruled the death a homicide. Washtock was discovered by their 15-year-old son around 7:30 a.m. on the day of the incident.
The investigation revealed that Washtock had been shot, although details about the weapon and whether the condominium was broken into were not disclosed.
Washtock was a private citizen conducting an independent investigation into the controversial 2010 death of Michelle O'Connell, the girlfriend of St. Johns County Deputy Jeremy Banks. O'Connell's death, ruled a suicide by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, has been a subject of dispute, with her family and others believing she was murdered. Washtock's involvement in this case, including requesting public records, added a layer of complexity to their own death investigation.
Due to Washtock's connection to the O'Connell case and the potential conflict of interest, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office requested the Putnam County Sheriff's Office to take over the investigation. Despite the ruling of homicide, the investigation faced delays partly due to Washtock's non-binary identity. As of now, no suspects have been publicly identified, and the case remains open. The authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its ties to the O'Connell investigation, which has been featured in national media, including a PBS "Frontline" documentary and an ABC News "20/20" report. The unresolved nature of both deaths continues to fuel public interest and speculation.
