Homicide detectives investigate death of 80-year-old Brevard County man

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — An investigation is underway after an 80-year-old Brevard County man was found dead in his home Friday night.

Deputies said a concerned friend went to check on Grady Wright about 10:30 p.m. Friday and found him dead inside his home on Sunset Avenue in Scottsmoor.

Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators collected evidence in the home and spoke to nearby residents.

Residents said the neighborhood is an unlikely focus of a homicide investigation.

“It hurts because I knew him and Jennie, his wife, and they were both special people,” said resident Vernie Driggers. “Very special people.”

Driggers said for more than 14 years, she attended the same church as Wright, who lost his wife two years ago.

She can’t fathom anyone would do him harm.

Photos: Scene where man, 80, was found dead in home

“We was all-in meeting people. He would go and come back here and work on his yard,” said Driggers. “He loved his flowers and his home. He was always busy doing that.”

For two days, homicide agents combed Wright’s half-acre lot, looking for anything that would give them clues about his death. By Saturday, his property was marked off with crime scene tape.

Driggers said it’s all too hard to process, and called Wright a trusting person, who never hesitated to help someone in need.

“We just don’t see why anyone could come into a neighborhood like this and wreak havoc,” she said.

Deputies said they are waiting for the results of an autopsy report to find out how Wright died.

Investigators were back at the scene Sunday.

Deputies ask anyone with information about Wright's death to call the Sheriff's Office or Crimeline at 1-800-437- 8477.

Cox Media Group