Friends fear foul play in man found floating in Tampa Bay

Friends fear foul play in man found floating in Tampa Bay
By Rebecca Catalanello, Times staff writer
TAMPA — Jason Downey was headed home.

That's what he told his roommate when they last spoke outside Georgie's Alibi bar in St. Petersburg early Friday morning.

The 31-year-old veterinary technician was alone, puffing a cigarette out on the patio bar just before 2 a.m. when he told Tony Ginski he'd catch up with him back at the house in Tampa.

"I thought maybe he'd be right along shortly," said Ginski, 42, who departed in his own car.

The usually reliable Downey never showed.

On Sunday, a fisherman discovered Downey's body floating in Tampa Bay near an approach to the Howard Frankland Bridge at Interstate 275 and Fourth Street N.

Police are still looking for his green 1998 Toyota Rav 4, which Downey was driving that night. St. Petersburg Police are calling it a suspicious death, but say an autopsy on Monday indicated no signs of trauma.

"I can't believe there would be anyone who would intentionally harm him, said David Landreth, 31, a long-time friend who also met Downey out on Thursday night.

click post title for more