Sheriff’s deputies, paramedics and other responders’ activity in and around the house at 92 La Mancha Drive in Palm Coast overnight Tuesday (Dec. 5) was the result of an apparent suicide: Dale S. Winton Sr., 52, a resident at the house, was found in the garage–which he had earlier barricaded–with an extension cord around his neck, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s report issued this morning.
His girlfriend, with whom he was sharing the house, around 1 a.m. Tuesday reported to authorities that he had committed suicide.
Winton, she reported, had been upset over someone calling his girlfriend’s cell phone and had ended the relationship while still at work. He then came home around 3 p.m. “and ignored her while she was there,” according to the incident report. He then called a friend and met him to run errands around 5 p.m.
His girlfriend told deputies she’d fallen asleep in the master bedroom and was woken up later–she did not know the time–Winton, who gave her a yellow note pad on which he’d written a letter. But the handwriting was unintelligible. (The previous evening around 7 p.m., Winton had posted an enigmatic line on his Facebook page and shared it on his girlfriend’s wall: “Almost made it 2 1/2 yrs not bad longer than most people would have bet on.” A friend had responded to the post? “Are you ok?” He did not answer.)
His girlfriend then walked out of the bedroom and heard him speak with someone but didn’t see anyone in the house. In the kitchen, she noticed a mostly empty bottle of tequila. “She advised that she drank a couple of shots of
the aforementioned Tequila and could hear Mr. Winton in the garage,” the incident report states. (A family member wrote on Dec. 8 that she “did not drink two shots, she saw two shot glasses and heard talking and thought Dale was talking to a friend in the garage, she then looked over at computer and the voice was from the utube video that was playing about how to hang yourself.” The detail about the video was not included in the incident report.)
She tried to go into the laundry room, but Winton had seemingly wedged a two-by-four against the door, preventing it from being opened.
The timeline is not clear, but eventually, according to the sheriff’s report, she kicked down the door with her foot only to notice that the door knobs on the door leading to the garage had been removed. She was able to look through the hole. She noticed Winton unresponsive, the report states. She called a friend in Flagler Beach, who called law enforcement for her. Kenny Moore of the medical examiner’s office responded later that morning. The body was not taken to the medical examiner’s office, as is the case at times in similar circumstances. Rather, it was removed by a funeral home and taken to St. Johns County.
Winton’s Facebook epitaph was: “I am a person who believes in respect not lying or stealing and never doubts my love for you.” He had listed himself as owning his own business and a graduate of Spruce Creek High School in Volusia.
The following resources are available for individuals in crisis:
In Daytona Beach: Stewart-Marchman Act Corporation Crisis Center
1220 Willis Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Administrative Phone: (904) 947 – 4270
Crisis Line: (800) 539 – 4228
Available 24 hours.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800/273-8255.
If you are concerned for someone else, read about warning signs here.
See the University of South Florida’s Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide here.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Jenn says
Very sad
Anonymous says
As the parent of a mental health child, this County needs more resources. One suicide is to many. We have terrible therapist and no psychiatric services. The only option is to go out of County. We are losing our young people whom could of been saved.
Bc. says
RIP Dale I don’t no what made you want to leave this life but I hope you found what you were looking for I hope you found your better place god be with you.
Trailer Bob says
I lost my nephew also this year from a self arranged hanging. He had FSA and it was almost impossible to get him help. If you call the police and say someone is going to harm or kill themselves, they ask them three simple questions, and if the person can answer them they tell you there is nothing they can do. But they can get involved really quick if you light up a joint…Sad.
Kojak says
We live in a growing City that has a huge hospital with, no trauma unit or pediatric center for birthing babies, do you honestly think they care about mental health and suicides? Their answer for everything is “The Green Roof Inn”.
Fernando Melendez says
Yes Jenn, it is a very sad situation when from what I read, and as little that might have been noticed by many, I as a trained psychologist can clearly see that this young man was screaming for help. Flagler County has to have more professionals on hand to properly evaluate and assess and recommend therapy for our residents that might need the help. Sad
Dj says
I wish you would have just left her. I love you and I always will. I hope your in a happier place and I just want to thank you for everything you did for us. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Carol Fisher says
As this news comes just days before the fifth anniversary of my 21-year-old daughter’s suicide, it hits particulary hard. I wish and pray that people that are SO despondent would come to know that there are those who love them, and will be there for them. So sorry for all those who knew and loved Dale. He lives on.
ASF says
We need some dual diagnosis services in this town! That includes education and support for family members and the community as well.
Mark Lahive says
Dale worked for me for 6 years and was my friend. I will miss him for the rest of my life. I can’t believe this has happened. I don’t understand it at all.
TG says
Such sad news of a long time friend, I pray for his kids, the mother of his kids and grandchild. Condolences to the entire Winton family. Dale had a big heart and did not deserve to end his life like this, I hope that he was good with God and that he can find peace now. Suicide is never the answer, hug your loved ones and communicate always you never know when it could save a life. xoxo RIP Dale <3
Jenn says
Flagler County needs a lot of things especially are Hospital needs to step up their game they need to add some psychiatric help in this County too many lives have our being taken and it breaks my heart that they had nowhere to turn. My heart breaks for their families and friends that knew him. Flagler Hospital is a joke and something needs to be done.
K. Schure says
As a mother of a child that committed suicide my heart goes out the the family. We certainly do need a lot more resources in this county for people with these problems and help at the hospital.
Truth Teller says
“Psychiatric help” is only as good as the person SEEKING IT. I get so fucking tired of people blaming the county, the city the government and the man on the moon when something like this happen. I suppose they want police officers running around with “butterfly nets” rounding up random people they deem needs psychiatric help.
diane grill says
very sad, this man had a lot of life ahead of him. But how can mental health providers help if they are not notified? Someone needs to notify them before something like this happens
Response to Truth Teller says
I’m so sorry for the loss of this man. Suicide is not the answer….but when you are in this kind of turmoil , it is hard to see through the darkness.
Truth Teller – You have a point and a right to your opinion. But to share like you did on this page is a shame.
Sandy Wood-Shaw says
I received a phone call today from my Cousin, Cheryl Kennedy. She was calling to let me know about Dale’s passing. I had no idea. I knew Dale when we went to Turie T. Small Elementary School. It was in the 6th grade when we became friends. We rode the same school bus together and knew a lot of the same kids that lived in South Daytona during that time. As we both left Campbell in the 9th grade and attended Spruce Creek during my sophomore year we started dating. During that summer we attended a concert at the Orange Bowl, Ozzy Osbourne and Foreigner. I still have my ticket stub. Dale was a hopeless romantic. He was kind and gentle and knew how to wear a pair of jeans. I guess you can say he was my first “young love”. I don’t recall the year, but we had planned to attend the Prom and Dale had purchased two tickets. I still have them both. Unfortunately being young teenagers and still having a lot to learn and understand, we parted our ways. He even wrote a personal note to me expressing how he felt about us parting. I still have that note. Dale was a very special person to me and I will never forget him. I was very surprised and saddened when I heard that he choose to leave this life in such a way. There is no one person that is worth you giving up “yourself” for. Trust me, I know. So, Good Bye old friend, may you reign in heaven and have eternal life in God’s Kingdom. P.S.- don’t forget to send a “Lightning Bolt” our way every now and then ;)
palmcoaster says
Thank you Sandy for letting us know the goodness and positive of Dale’s life related in such a kind way. really prove to me exactly like I figured about this young man. He was suffering and needed counseling and help as sometimes relationships bring out unexpected, tragedy and these terminal outcomes. May the Almighty welcomed you in His Kingdon Dale…no more suffering for you, RIP.
Robert M. says
I was talking with Dale not long before his death. He actually left a message on my phone. I didn’t get it in time and it’s bugged me ever since. We had talked about things going on in his life and I was able to convey that I too went through some of the things he was going through. I seemed to have a bit of a calming affect on him. I only knew him for a year or so. But were the same age and actually attended the same schools. I just don’t think I ever ran into him at spruce creek. But anyway it still bothers me that he left a message but by the time I got it he had already gone through with what he did. I wish I could have checked my stupid phone earlier because I definitely would have had a positive affect I believe. I’ve gone down the road he was on and it’s all a matter of not letting things get to you. I’m no expert but I believe in God and I believe life is like waves on the beach. You can get wiped out by a wave and think all is lost. But what many people don’t realize it it will smooth back out again and you have a little time before the next wave hits. It’s a total shame and it’s devastating what happened to Dale. I miss him and wish I could have one day back. I will pray for his soul and pray God has mercy. God be with you Dale. You were a great friend and it’s tough!