On the night of July 13, 2023 a fire ripped through the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center in John’s Pass Village. More than one hundred animals died in the smoke and flames – beloved creatures who each had a name and unique personality, who were loved by their caretakers and by members of the public who visited them. The center provided a home for exotic pets that people could no longer care for, as well as orphaned native wildlife that couldn’t be released. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, caretakers tried to rescue the surviving animals and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Forensics documented the tragedy for the ongoing investigation.

Forensics Science Specialist Karen Greul responded to the scene. “This was an incredibly devastating event for me,” she said. “I’ve been in Forensics for almost 26 years, and we all have those calls that we’ve responded to that leave an indelible impression on our lives and our memories. This was one of those calls for me and I will continue to relive those snapshots in my mind for the rest of my life.” Difficult as it was, she documented the scene.

Sonny Flynn, who runs the center, talked about some of the animals who died that night. Some were exotics that most people have never seen before, such as Zion the agile cat-like genet who Flynn says, “captivated hearts with its beauty,” or Drogan the sailfin dragon, a lizard species that looks like a dinosaur. Roma and Flower were albino striped skunks, “cherished companions who played chase games with us since they were three weeks old.” A little Prevost squirrel named Dewi came to the center traumatized but after long and patient care they managed to earn her trust.

There were rabbits, chinchillas, hedgehogs, birds, friendly rats and “skinny pigs” – hairless guinea pigs. Some of the animals who died might not strike people as quite so cuddly, but all of the reptiles and amphibians had their own names and natures, and many enjoyed being held and petted. Eighteen snakes died, including Jasper, an albino red tailed boa. “We lost several of our cherished tarantulas, a species that, despite common fears, displays nurturing qualities.” These were creatures who were deeply loved. “There are countless others, each with their own unique personalities and a very special place in my heart and the hearts of their caretakers.” One loss was particularly hard to bear. “Our beloved Barley, the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, remains irreplaceable. Barley adored giving kisses and jumping up to say hello, always eager to interact with people. Their memories will forever be cherished as a testament to the joy they brought into our lives.”

Flynn praises the forensics specialist who photographed the devastation after the fire. “They were incredibly professional, genuine, caring, and went above and beyond their duties. Their compassion towards both my team and me was remarkable.”

One member of the Forensics Division was particularly hard hit by news of the fire. Supervisor Lisa Murphy and her family visited the center at least once a year and knew a lot of the animals well. “Lisa was concerned about the well-being of the guinea pigs because they were her son’s favorites,” said Greul. “I remember breaking the news to her that they didn’t survive.” Sparked by her connection to the center, Murphy decided to help in any way she could. She found out that Flynn had broken ground on a new facility as part of their sister organization, Sunny Green Acres Rescue and Education Farm, which provides a home to 61 rescued farm animals. Flynn is planning an expansion on the site of an old nursery that was destroyed by Hurricane Irma. It will eventually house some of the displaced animals, including birds and tortoises, as well as community gardens, a monarch butterfly sanctuary, and an outdoor kitchen for farm-to-table culinary programs. But there is a lot to do to get the land ready for construction. When Murphy suggested that Forensics members help out, they were completely on board.

“Forensics has some of the biggest hearts in the agency,” Greul said. “I think this may be out of the need to provide something positive in the wake of the devastation we see so much of. I think helping animals is a way for us to give back and balance the good versus evil that we live with.”

“Me being a huge animal lover, I couldn’t say no,” said Forensic Specialist Sandra-Leigh Copeland, who volunteered at the new farm site. “I absolutely adore animals. I think being Australian it’s in my nature to love them.”

The Forensics volunteers have been working in the searing summer heat to clear the land of trash and buried debris left over from the destroyed nursery. “Last week we also helped build a firepit that will be used when visitors, girl scouts, etc. visit the center,” said Copeland. “The rest of the plans are to get the current enclosures fixed for the animals to come in, and to build new enclosures.” The current animal residents are very interested and follow them as they work. “There are already two donkeys, several pigs – one named Daisy who is very funny and adorable – several goats, bunnies, turkeys, and chickens.” Forensics members have also reached out to other members of the PCSO to donate money, supplies, or time.

Despite the tragedy, there are bright spots. More than 120 animals were saved and are staying in temporary housing until they can come home. Some alligators and crocodiles are at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, while aquatic turtles and coral went to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Some other animals went to the Florida Aquarium while surviving tortoises, lizards, tarantulas, and snakes went home temporarily with their caretakers.

One more happy note – a huge tortoise that had been black and motionless when Greul documented the scene turned out to be alive after all, and made a full recovery. “He was born on Christmas Day and is more than 30 years old,” Greul said.

The Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center is now in the process of cleaning up the units affected by fire, smoke, and water. A new roof will soon be installed. As Flynn and the animals’ caretakers rebuild, they are both mourning the friends they lost and planning to give the best life possible to those who survived, and the new animals that are surrendered to them. PCSO Forensics will continue to help, and the public is welcome to contribute too. More information can be found on the center’s website.

“I think it gives me some peace to know that I’m helping and contributing in some manner,” Copeland said, “and that one day when the project is ready, I’ll be proud of knowing that the new center was a labor of love and I helped toward that.”



In this episode we talk with Deputy Jill Constant of the Marine and Environmental Lands Unit. From rescuing manatees in distress to braving seas that are too rough even for the Coast Guard, Deputy Constant helps keep our waterways safe. After a childhood spent learning the value of preserving natural resources she knew she wanted to combine environmentalism with her desire to put bad guys in jail. Learn how she helped arrest a dangerous carjacker who was much better on land than in the water, find out why local snails are safer thanks to her, and much more.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE #6

“Do they have a reason to be dead?” According to Bill Pellan, Director of Investigations at the Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO), that’s the first question a deputy should ask during a death investigation when considering whether the case should be referred to the medical examiner. The MEO investigates all deaths that appear in any way suspicious or unnatural. If a person with an extensive medical history passes away, and they were under the care of a doctor who can attest to the condition they succumbed to, the MEO doesn’t have to be involved. However, if there was no pre-existing medical reason for the person to die, the medical examiner may perform extensive investigations to determine the cause and manner of death.

Deputies with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) refer a wide range of cases to the MEO. “Some cases are going to be very clear cut,” Pellan said. “If there’s a gunshot wound, they’re going to the medical examiner.” That would include everything from suspected homicide, suicide, or even a death resulting from the accidental discharge of a firearm. Other cases might be more subtle. A person who seems to be in good health but dies suddenly would go to the MEO, as would any person who dies in an accident, such as a car crash or falling off a roof.

What if a person has a medical condition that could cause their death, but some details of the case aren’t adding up? A person could have heart disease, and their doctor confirms that they were at risk of death because of that condition. However, a diligent deputy who investigates and interviews friends and relatives of the deceased, who examines the scene closely, might uncover suspicious details that would lead to the body being examined by the medical examiner anyway. Overdoses can be masked by a pre-existing condition, and a deputy might only realize that by counting the victim’s pills. A careful interview could even raise suspicions of deliberate poisoning. If an alcoholic is found deceased surrounded by empty bottles, is that a natural death from chronic alcoholism (which would not go to the MEO) or an acute case of alcohol poisoning, an accidental overdose that would go to the MEO? Sometimes only the medical examiner can tell for sure. Thankfully, they have someone on call 24 hours a day to help deputies decide which cases to send their way.

Florida is fortunate to have the medical examiner system. Some areas have a coroner system instead, an elected position that has no medical requirements. Whoever gets the most votes – whether they are a funeral home director or a local farmer – becomes the county coroner. “If they need an autopsy, the coroner would try to get a doctor from a local hospital to do it. They may do clinical, anatomical pathology looking for disease, but not specialize in forensic pathology.”

In Florida, every judicial circuit has an MEO. Pinellas and Pasco counties are in the Sixth Judicial Circuit. “The governor appoints a medical examiner after a search committee and a commission recommends that person. Dr. Jon Thogmartin is our medical examiner. We have eight doctors who are all board certified in forensic pathology and work full time at the MEO.” Those eight are responsible for conducting autopsies and collecting blood, urine, gastric contents, and vitreous fluid samples for testing. The doctors examine the body inside and out to determine the cause of death.

“Between Pinellas and Pasco there are about 21,000 deaths a year – about 3,000 of those come to our office,” Pellan said. Last year, more than 1,000 of those were overdoses, primarily as the result of the rise in fentanyl. Per their accreditation their doctors aren’t allowed to do more than 325 autopsies per year, so it takes three doctors just to do the drug overdoses.

The MEO is not available by request. If, for example, a death appears unsuspicious but the family later wants to investigate whether a change in prescribed medication contributed to the death, the MEO would not perform an autopsy. “Taxpayers don’t pay us to do work so a citizen can sue someone. If they want an autopsy, they have to pay a private pathologist.” The MEO only gets involved in cases that fall under their legal jurisdiction and not solely at the request of family.

On the other hand, a family can’t refuse to release a body to the MEO. Religious traditions, such as a mandate to bury a body within a certain length of time, are taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis and every effort is made to be considerate of personal beliefs… but not to the detriment of the investigation. Most bodies are released within a day.

Pellan trains new recruits about the PCSO’s partnership with the MEO. He cautions that while most deaths which initially appear natural are just that, a deputy should never skimp on their investigation. “If you do, eventually you’re going to get burned on one of them. Always look at the body, the medications. You have to do a little bit of math with the pills to see if they took an overdose.”

Even if the case isn’t suspicious, a deputy on a death scene is still performing a valuable public service. They may arrange to notify next of kin or help a distraught family member figure out what steps to take next. A deputy’s deep compassion in a difficult time can make the situation easier to bear.