Dead body discovered in Gulf Gate

UPDATE: The victim has been identified as James Brotherton, 59, of Port Chalotte. During the autopsy, the medical examiner determined that Brotherton had been shot. Investigators determined the shooting occured approximately 11:53 p.m., Nov. 21, and investigators are trying to contact the occupant or occupants of a vehicle that passed shortly after the shooting.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is working to learn the identity of a white male found dead in the road early the morning of Nov. 22 near the intersection of Curtiss Avenue and Gulf Gate Drive.

The discovery of the body was reported at 12:33 a.m. Nov. 22.

The cause of death also is under investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has reported.

Anyone with information that could be helpful to the case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section at 861-4900 or Crime Stoppers at 366-TIPS (8477).