Last Updated: 5:46 p.m.
Giovanne Sylvain, the 18-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s R-Section who had gone missing since Friday, after he left his home on a bicycle, is feared dead following the discovery Monday of a body floating in the small lake at Graham Swamp, off Old Kings Road, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said early this evening.
Deputies had responded to the report of a body there early this morning–in the area of 1635 Old Kings Road–after people fishing in the area reported the find.
“Detectives and Deputies responded to the area and located what appeared to be the body of an African American male. Detectives were not able to immediately identify the male due to the fact that it appeared the body had been in the water for several days,” the sheriff’s release states. “Based on their preliminary investigation, Detectives believe that the body is likely that of 18-year-old Giovanne Sylvain who was reported missing from his residence in Palm Coast on Sunday, September 27. Detectives have been in contact with Giovanne’s family since this morning and they have been cooperative with law enforcement throughout the investigation.”
Detectives don’t believe there’s been foul play but are following all leads, and for now not removing Sylvain’s name from the state and national missing-persons databases–not until his body can be conclusively identified.
“This is an ongoing investigation and we will update the community as soon as we can conclusively identify the deceased,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Until that time we ask for the community’s patience while Detectives complete the investigation and keep the Sylvain family in your thoughts and prayers.”
The earlier story, published today, is below.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating 18-year-old Giovanne Sylvain, a student at Matanzas High School. He was last seen on Friday (Sept. 25) around 5 p.m., when he left his house at 17 Ryeco Way in Palm Coast on a bike.
His mother reported to Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies on Sunday that her son had left the house, leaving all his belongings in the house, including his cell phone. She told deputies she was concerned about him because he had started acting differently, according to an incident report, some of it redacted. She could only provide limited information about what he was wearing. He may have been carrying a backpack. He was riding a black bicycle.
He would normally be attending Matanzas in person–and had been to school Friday.
He told his mother that he was going to see a friend by the name of David. Deputies deduced the identity of his friend and paid him a call. The friend’s father confirmed that Sylvain had visited, but only to drop off some food. Sylvain was entered into databases as missing or endangered. He had turned 18 only a week before he went missing.
If you have information call FCSO at 386-313-4911 or email us at TIPS@flaglersheriff.com
Duncan says
Hoping for a happy outcome.
ASF says
I hope he is found soon–and safe! My prayers to the family!
Take a good look says
My thoughts and prayers are with this young man and his family. Godspeed in finding him safe and bringing him home to his loved ones!
Sad Mom of 3 says
Absolutely heartbreaking. My prayers go out to the Sylvain family. May you Rest In Peace Gio. A life cut way too short.
Tammy says
Waiting is so hard. Thoughts and prayers with the family during this time.
Rocco says
I think this is going to be the fourth young black man found dead in this county under suspicious circumstances. Are we going to get some follow up answers this time?
Charles Franklin Delano McClendon, 20 https://www.articobits.com/obituaries/colemans-mortuary/charles-mcclendon-obituary
Timothy Milton Hawkins, Jr., 18, of Palm Coast
Sheriff Investigating Apparent Drowning of 18-Year-Old Man Who Washed Up at Varn Park
https://flaglerlive.com/154809/drowning-varn-park/
Melissa says
Prayers to Miss Luewahana and Mr Sylvain. Prayers to Giovanni and that this isn’t true. He was a great and polite young man and this is such a tragic loss.
A friend says
Lord i hope this isn’t true , i’m friends with his sister and she loved him so much . my condolences and prayers go out to the family
Matanzas Student c/o 2021 says
ANOTHER young African American male found dead in Palm Coast seems a little suspicious. Living in Flagler county as well as attending school (3rd-12th grade) here I’ve seen my fair share of racial injustice issues being “swept under the rug” by the people in charge. Knowing Gio personally, this is painfully confusing as well as raises great suspicion. My prayers go out to Gio’s family as they navigate through this heartbreaking tragedy.
As to my brothers and sisters reading this, I cannot say this enough: BE CAREFUL and BE AWARE. There are too many sketchy inconclusive incidents being labeled as “accidents” or without “foul play suspected” for comfort. DO NOT forget the country in which we live in, and please stay safe as well as cautious. God bless.
AB says
Really makes you wonder whats up with this creepy county. Do we have a serial killer?
My heart aches for this young man and his family. He was a pleasure to interact with at his family’s restaurant. I cannot imagine the heartbreak they are going through…
Sxyjen says
Were there any updates to what happened to these young men??? And u said 4 but listed 2. Wondering what the others names are
Heartbroken says
My prayers are with this family. I am the mother of a two young men in this county. They are 17 and 19. I can’t imagine this mother’s grief. May god guide this mother to find peace. Foul play or not, this woman’s child was taken from her before his life truly began. She will carry this grief with her and as a community we need to keep her in our thoughts and lift this family up any way we can. Flagler Live and Flagler County, please keep us informed on anything this family may need.
Rocco says
I listed three, because the first is is the Leading Article which makes four. The youngman listed with no name, to my knowledge hasn’t been publicly disclosed in the press.
Chase says
Curtis gray was another one.
Ojay says
He was a kind spirited person and a gentle giant. Praying for the family because I know his mother put a shield around him. God be with the Sylvain family.
Jarred Tazewell says
This is sad, we knew him. He was a good kid, and very respectful. Our prayers to the family.
Local Teacher says
Great detective work, Rocco. Hopefully our police department will take notice.
Outsider says
And totally without any proof, you are stoking fear and suspicion. This is not helpful to anyone, the family in particular. There is no serial killer; no murderer of black people. This is a tragedy that occurs all too often among young people who have lost hope. My heartfelt condolences to the family.
Concerned Citizen says
All of us living in this community know about Graham Swamp’s checkered past. What was this young man doing there alone? Did he get unlucky and have an unfortunate encounter with a sicko?
Janette Knight says
Wow when u here of things like this u only think of television shows but to hear that something like that happened so close to home makes you wonder what’s really going on are we really protecting our kids mentally and physically State my prayers are my love and my heart goes out to the family and with our deepest condolences May Jehovah continue to be with you and your family so so sorry
SG says
I agree! TJ Hawkins didn’t even get any news on his death. Detectives really screwed up his investigation and now nobody even knows he died, not to mention someone is walking around free and clear after getting away with his murder. That’s the Bunnell PD for you.
Jackie says
This is so sad! A lot of these younger kids are dying because of bullying! This needs to STOP why cant everyone be kind and love each other! May god be with this family and I pray this isn’t the young man!
FPCHS says
There is a lot of racism in Flagler County… it had the LAST segregated school in the USA! That should say something. I’ve heard some crazy stories from the far past and recent past. I hope this is an accident, but wouldn’t be surprised at all if it wasn’t. Flagler county is filled with closeted racists that families stem very far back in history. People say it’s the place to be… no it’s literally the place to DIE. So sad. Going to school here and being gay was very scary, I feared for my life. This is insane. There should be a FBI investigation into missing people in Flagler. It’s very political event he police department. They have hid so many things. DUIs, Abuse, Hate crimes, drugs, so much more. Very crooked and racist place to live.
I’ve heard a lot of mess up things happening in Flagler county even in the past says
Yes People need to not forget Flagler county had the last segregated high school in the USA. I’ve heard a lot of mess up things happening in Flagler county even in the past
Yarielis Alicea says
Miss Leuwhana and Mr. Syvain,
I am so sorry that you got your baby’s life taken. If you need any prayer, talks or help, feel free to contact me on snapchat or instagram @poet.station.
God bless you and your family and I pray he guides you through the dark into the light and that you can feel like King David after he stopped mourning over his beloved friend.
Yarielis Alicea says
Text me @poet.station on snap or ig
We have similar thoughts on this suspicion and i would like to go in detail with you
Jacob Daugherty says
Thank you for bringing this to people’s attention. I have seen quite a few suspicious deaths far too much this year with “no foul play suspected”. I think these sheriffs need to open there eyes and start investigating. I known this young man for a long time and he was always a bright kid and a great athlete. My heart aches for him and his family. Please look more into Racial related deaths! If you really suspect no foul play, you need to start doing your job and stop being so lazy FCSO.
A Friend says
Rest In peace Gio
NW says
I am relatively new to the county, here fourteen years, but I am surprised to read these accusations. My interactions with people, of all races and lifestyle, have always been respectful and friendly.
The death of this young man, as well as the others, upsets me. If it was suicide there’s a reason and they need to find it. If foul play, I trust our Sheriff to do whatever is needed to capture the perpetrator.
My condolences to the family and friends.
Bartholomew says
I believe Curtis was shot and the suspect is in jail.
Kim says
I found this interesting too any ideas of the recent numbers? I know of two, possibly a 3.
ASF says
I am so sorry to hear about this young man’s untimely death. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
PA says
What is your evidence for this statement? You too, are just making a personal statement. Both comments are opinions and have a right to be heard. BOTH
anonymous says
I wanna know why was the graham swamp was offered guest a day after the finding of the body . It’s still should be considered a crime scene until the bike is found and more investigation on the case
A says
My heart hurts for this family. My thoughts and prayers are with them everyday. I will continue hope and pray that this is NOT the body of Giovanne Sylvains. As a parent “Feared” and “Likely” are just NOT COMFIRMED. As a parent I would hold on to every morsel on hope I possibly could!
Praying harder today than yesterday!
Sarai Thomas says
My heart goes out to the family of Giovanni. I truly hope his case is taken SERIOUSLY and something is finally done with this park!!!
Like a previous comment said, those of us that have lived in this community know about the checkered history of Graham swamp. This just doesn’t add up to me.. There’s also been a rape/attempted murder back there in recent years and it’s a known place for perverts.
We never saw anything come from this, but a few years ago we were walking pretty deep back in the swamp and found an uprooted tree with panties hanging from the roots!!!! And they definitely looked like young girl panties (we reported it but never heard anything back). Another time, a friend and i were returning from a walk on one of the trails that passes a dock and an older man yelled to us “I hope you didn’t get molested back there!” VERY CREEPY.
Melissa says
Now I have the same age kid and there is not much that you can find out about a teenager as we all know that this is not right .he couldn’t have went too far on a bicycle and where he went someone has hurt this kid,I pray that this case gets much attention and the person that murdered this kid gets life in prison ,this kid had a life ,he played soccer at mantanza school ,and I want more investigation on this case to where he was going to how he ended up murdered with lacerations to his head and put in the river wearing only his boxers and shorts this has to be investigated fully there is no way a 17 or 18 year old has a lot going on he was still in school he was just a kid someone took advantage of this kid and hurt him I do not want this murderer to get away they have to find out everything where he went who he was talking to and who was the last person who went to be with there was not much to find out because this kid was on a bike who did he meet where was he going??? The technology today can be able to find the murderer very quickly there is not much that is needed to figure this one out from a kid this is just a kid we’re talking about so this kid had to have a friend where he would want to go and at least hang out with where he went to hang out what happened to when he went to hang out where the house he went the last place he went to that’s who hurt his kid please investigate more on this this kid deserves Justice!!!!
Melissa says
I know that teenagers don’t have too much going on especially when they are 17 and 18 they’re just kids they say this kid rode a bicycle and dropped off food that’s what the father said something’s not right with what the father said he was the last person that seen this kid what happened what happened when he entered or came to that address something had to happen to this kid the father knows the one that said that he just dropped off food there is more to this story I pray that this person is caught because this kid did not deserve it this was just a child still in school
The Truth About Flagler says
Flagler cops will literally harm you and hurt you and then cover it up its a racist county you will never win I pray for anyone who lives here one of the most unjust racist disgusting places I have ever been they need to have internal affairs start looking into what these police are doing and being ALLOWED to do parents and people of color please be warned be safe because as people of color you will not be treated fairly and it is not safe for you in this county especially if you do not have a strong family to have your back they will prey on individuals who are in vulnerable positions and or alone and harass you wether you are breaking the law or not they say this is the land of the free seems like the land of bs to me!