FL Delt dies mysteriously
Shelby man dies mysteriously in Florida
Graham Cawthon
Star Staff Writer
SHELBY — Police are investigating the surprise death of a 23-year-old Shelby native who died mysteriously in Gainesville, Fla. Tuesday night.
Brandon Johnson, who grew up in Shelby, graduated from Shelby High and attended Cleveland Community College before transferring to the University of Florida, was found dead in Gainesville at a friend’s house Tuesday after checking into and out of a hospital for undisclosed reasons.
“He lived with us most of his life,” said Ken Vassy, of Kings Circle, Johnson’s grandfather.
Vassy remembers his grandson as someone who was a lot of fun and never met a stranger.
He said his grandson lived in Shelby from around the age of one until he was about 20 years old.
Johnson was a member of Delta Tau Delta, and fraternity members held a candlelight memorial service for their brother Tuesday night.
“Twenty-three year old people do not just die,” said Gainesville Police spokesman Sgt. Keith Kameg, explaining why the police are investigating the death.
Kameg said police responded to the scene with medical personnel and attempted to revive Johnson. He was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital.
Sgt. Kameg said detectives found no evidence of foul play in their investigation. A toxicology report will be complete in four to six weeks.
The Gainesville Sun reported that Johnson was taken to the emergency room Tuesday for undisclosed reasons. He checked himself out around 2:30 p.m. and went to stay at a friend’s house, where he was found later that night not breathing.
While at Cleveland Community College, Johnson served as a senator in the Student Government Association and president of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society. He earned his associate’s degree at St. Petersburg College before transferring to the University of Florida.
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