“From the Woods to the Water” was the personal motto for the outdoorsy Gage Jackson, who loved riding dirt bikes and being in the water. However, the life of the 19-year-old Florida native was cut short, and after five years, authorities still don’t know who killed him.
Jackson’s family described him as an outgoing person who would make friends with anybody, hence why his death has remained a puzzle, and the motive for the killing is still unknown.
According to Newsome Wolf Tracks, on March 19, 2019, Jackson returned to his home in Washington Loop around 11 p.m. after getting a ride from work. However, the family never heard from him the next day, which was quite unusual, so they reported him missing. Some days went by as friends and family members searched through the wooded areas and drove around the neighborhood in the hopes that Jackson was still alive.
After a week, some boaters found a body in Prairie Creek while authorities responded to the scene. Upon initial inspection, the victim’s body was beyond recognition due to being exposed to elements in the water. As a result, the Charlotte County medical examiner had to use dental records to confirm the body belonged to Jackson. However, most of the evidence had been washed up, which also created difficulty in establishing the exact cause of death.
In 2021, an anonymous individual donated a $103,000 cash reward to anyone who provided information that would lead to an arrest. To date, the case remains cold.
“This didn’t just happen to Gage randomly. Someone needs to be held accountable for their actions in Gage’s death. People within his inner circle have more information than they’ve been sharing with law enforcement up to this point. Information that certain individuals in this community have is absolutely critical and pivotal in making sure that we finally get justice for Gage,” said Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers spokesperson Trish Routte, reported Court TV.
Anyone with information regarding Jackson’s death should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). You can also contact Crime Stoppers for an additional reward of $3,000 for arrest only.
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