Search for Jose Andino began after he failed to show up for work on Aug. 5, Sheriff’s Office says
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 67-year-old man whose body divers found on Aug. 12, inside a vehicle submerged in Phillippi Creek in the traditionally Amish community of Pinecraft in Sarasota, the agency has announced.
The man, identified as Jose A. Andino, “was the subject of a missing persons investigation” that began on Tuesday, Aug. 6, “after he failed to show up for work the previous day,” a news release explained.
Portions of Pinecraft experienced among the worst flooding effects from Tropical Storm Debby, the Sarasota Police Department indicated in reports it issued last week on its social media accounts.
The area of the creek where the car was located is near the Bahia Vista Street intersections of Graber Avenue and Kaufman Avenue, the Sheriff’s Office said.
On the morning of Aug. 6, the Police Department posted a photo on its Facebook page in announcing that Bahia Vista Street was closed from Kruppa Avenue to South Conrad Avenue because of floodwaters. Graber Avenue is two blocks east of Kruppa, a map shows. The next morning, the agency reported on its Facebook page that all four lanes of Bahia Vista between South Conrad and Kruppa avenues finally had reopened.
On Aug. 12, the Sheriff’s Office news release continued, divers discovered Andino’s body inside his 2005 Toyota 4-Runner. The release added, “A passerby had located the vehicle as the water levels in that area had receded over the past several days.”
Prior to the discovery, the release noted, the Sheriff’s Office had “utilized multiple investigative means and deployed K-9, aviation, and marine units to search the areas near Bahia Vista and Phillippi Creek,” where Andino’s cell phone last pinged his location.
Scarleth Andino, who identified herself as Jose A. Andino’s daughter, has started a GoFundMe account in an effort to raise enough funds for his funeral.
The service is set for Aug. 31, the account notes, with a goal of $25,000. As of midday on Aug. 14, $14,097 had been raised from 309 donations.
Scarleth Andino wrote on the account, “For over a week I have been looking for my dad Jose A Andino who went missing due to the storm on Monday August 5th. It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that my dad tragically passed away after his car was swept into Philippi Creek as he was on his way to work. I appreciate all of the support I received and everyone who reached out. I apologize that I have not been able to respond back as this is a time of grief.”
Andino added, “This week has taught me how loved my dad was and I am grateful to everyone.”
A Sarasota News Leader check of the records maintained by the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office found that Andino owned the single-family home standing at 2706 Ridge Ave. in Sarasota. He bought the property in May 2009, the records said.
Sheriff’s Office members are continuing their investigation in the area of Phillippi Creek and Graber Avenue, the Aug. 13 release pointed out. “If anyone has any additional information in reference to this case, please contact the Criminal Investigations Section at 941.861.4900,” the release said.