Police ID man whose naked body was found Daytona Beach roof

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach police have identified a man whose naked body was found on the roof of the Peabody Auditorium Saturday afternoon.

Officers found 30-year-old Dylan Tharp’s body after responding to a reported burglary at the auditorium, which is located on Auditorium Boulevard, not far from Atlantic Avenue.

Police Chief Michael Chitwood told WFTV the victim appeared to have been struck on the head with something after climbing to the roof using a ladder.

Tharp’s address was listed as a local homeless shelter not far from the auditorium, police said.

“There was blunt force trauma, and the trauma he suffered didn't come from him falling on the ground,” said Jimmie Flynt of the Daytona Beach Police Department.

A maintenance worker found Tharp and called police. The man told authorities there was a break-in last month and food had been stolen.

“He noticed there was a lot of dirt and stuff on the stage and when he looked up, he could see a little bit of daylight and knew that that wasn't supposed to be that way,” Flynt said.

Police believe Tharp and an accomplice may have tried to break in when perhaps a fight broke out between them.

Tharp has only a few arrests in Volusia County for trespassing and having an open alcohol container in public, police said.

Investigators said they did find an unopened beer can on the roof, one of the few leads they have.

“If they hadn't of made a mess up there, who knows, the body may have been up there for months before it might have been found,” said Flynt.

WFTV