A neighbor had last seen John Michael Clark around 8:30 the morning of July 9. Clark was having coffee in the yard of the house at 30 Comanche Court in Palm Coast, where his boat was docked. He lived in his boat.
The afternoon of July 10, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies found Clark, 47, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, an apparent suicide carried out in his boat. He had locked his door.
The property owner at 30 Comanche had been trying to get hold of Clark for a few days. He’d checked on him Sunday. Clark had locked himself in. The property owner “could only hear mumbling from John,” within. The property owner returned Wednesday and noticed Clark seemingly unconscious on a couch or a bed inside. He called 911.
Clark was known to drink heavily, the landlord told a 911 dispatcher, but had shown no sign of wanting to hurt himself. He had no family locally: all are in California. (One 42-year-old family member who used to live on the boat as well, John Anthony Clark, is due to be released from Jefferson Correctional Institute in Monticello in mid-November. John Michael Clark had at first been mistaken for John Anthony in one of the earlier sheriff’s report, because there was no official documentation of his identity in the boat. But a photograph authorities later obtained confirmed John Michael’s actual identity, and a supplemental report corrected the error).
Investigators responded to the scene, establishing a crime scene around the dock–as is routine in such circumstances.
“I did not observe any signs of suspicious activity and there were no signs of foul play,” a sheriff’s deputy reported.
Dispatch notes indicate that a funeral home reported to the scene three hours after a paramedic pronounced Clark dead, but an incident report notes that the medical examiner removed the body to St. Augustine for an autopsy, as is usually the case in apparent suicides.
The sheriff’s office did not initially have information about the boat, but subsequently learned of its ownership (it was not Clark’s, but the homeowner’s).
Flatsflyer says
Isn’t it against the law for anyone to live on a vessel behind a private residence. My understanding is that the only place you can live aboard is at a fully licensed marina that that has bathroom, trash and laundry facilities. So how long was this going on, why didn’t any neighbors get involved?
Long Time Resident says
You have to wonder if that was his real identity. Hopefully the SO or medical examiner got the fingerprints.
Kwer says
At this horribly sad time when a human takes their life it saddens me that people feel the need to talk about rules and regulations or city ordinances. May this poor soul Rest In Peace and hopefully can find what he needed in life. People—-check on your neighbors. Say hello, ask them how they are……be kind to one another. One day, you may need support.
palmcoaster says
Yes is illegal to live in a boat docked in our canals as there are no sewer facilities….a violation of that house owner that resides in another house in Palm Coast. This is gross the potential contamination of our canals with human waste. Were else is going on… because 16 years ago I had the city code enforcement end the same violation committed by an irresponsible neighbor renting his decrepit non working boat house to transients in the main canal. How the neighbors affected by this health concerning violation didn’t call city code enforcement, buffles me!
John’s friend says
John Clark was a good friend of mine. We were neighbors at a marina for many years. To those of you that commented about live aboard rules and regulations instead of commenting about John, you are sad, pathetic individuals! John was loved by many. He was a Master boat captain/boatsmith rigger. He had traveled the world. And for the record, many boats have a Coast Guard approved sanitation system. This boat had one.
Pirate Johnny's friend says
Amen. He was a huge hearted man with an infectious laugh. He would, could and DID give whatever was needed to whomever needed it. No man is perfect, no life is perfect, he was PERFECT FOR THE LIFE HE COSE TO LIVE!!
So Insensitive says
I’m so glad I don’t live in the crapshoot that is Palm Coast where if I killed myself my neighbors would solely think about the code enforcement violations I may have committed. You should each be ashamed of yourselves. The hilarious part is that most of PC still looks like a dump even with your precious code enforcement regulations.
wow says
@flatsflyer and palmcoaster
Geez this poor guy takes him own life and you comment on the legality of him living in a boat. SMH, the lack of empathy in this world is disgusting and you should be ashamed of yourselves. Next time do the intelligent thing and keep your negative comments to yourself. P.S I feel sorry for YOUR neighbors.
Rest in peace Mr. John Clark and my condolences to his family.
special k says
Somebody takes their life and folks comment on rules and regulations.
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.” 1 Corinthians 10:23
palmcoaster says
No one is blaming Mr. Clark, but instead the responsibility of that house owner. So please do not distort facts.
palmcoaster says
Maybe also the reason why this young man got to that extreme decision should be more important to seek after all, looking forward to mental health needed. Feeling sorry with no solutions is not the way.
BDWillis says
RIP John, Thanks for the Day Boy Burgers and the top shelf drinks. You will be missed.
Johnnys Ex says
John Clark was a good friend. I dated him for 3 years but kept pin touch for years afterward. He was a kind and loving man. It is shocking that he would take his own life. I am so saddened by his loss and i wish i had talked to him more to tell him that he was loved. He was a charachter and his drinking was what ended it but I mever stopped loving the sober him. May he rest in peace. Im sorry john that i didnt tell you that you were loved more.
Amy Megginson says
My daughter was killed recently in Palm Coast and it was marked a suicide. I have since found out that there have been 75 suicides and only 13 homicides in the last several years. I’m wondering if anyone else is sure that their loved one was thrown in the suicide pile versus homicide. I’m sure it’s easier to call it suicide and forego all investigation.
😪 says
Oh how sad he was a good guy, had a job traveling out of state most of time, boat was a place to keep his things mostly and restore it in his free time .RIP John Im sure u will be missed by many who knew u
Brian says
Hello,
I’m sorry for you loss. I am trying to find out if this was my former room mate and high school classmate. John was born on 5/29/72, has a mother and step dad in Minnesota, and a father in california. He had lived in Minnesota, Colorado and Texas in addition to Florida. Can you please let me know?
Monica bleyer says
I would love to contact you, I knew John as a kid and lost contact with him many many years ago. He was lovely and lots of fun! I would love to know what he has been up to all these years.