Harold Rusty Bourgeois, 51, a long-time resident of Palm Coast and the Hammock, was found dead Sunday at his home, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Bourgeois had been living at 6024 North Oceanshore Boulevard in the Hammock.
Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene near the Intracoastal Waterway on the south border with Washington Oaks Garden State Park shortly after noon on Sunday after a friend had reported the discovery. The friend, a 34-year-old resident of Palm Coast, had dropped off Bourgeois after work Friday and hadn’t seen him since. But the friend reported that Bourgeois was in good spirits and was looking forward to going to Nevada to visit his sister. Bourgeois had lived in Las Vegas previously.
On Sunday, Bourgeois’ friend came by to pick him up, opened the door to the mobile home, and found Bourgeois in a chair. He immediately turned around and left, knocking at neighbor Mark Pitman’s door. (There are a few mobile homes along the driveway off State Road A1A, near bourgeois’ home.) Pitman, 53, and Bourgeois’ friend returned to Bourgeois’ home then stood by to await law enforcement’s arrival.
Deputies established a crime scene and were joined by detectives and, later, the medical examiner, who removed the body for an autopsy in St. Augustine. A rifle and a handgun were recovered from inside the home. By 5:30 p.m. that Sunday, the crime scene was broken down and the home secured.
Seashell says
Rest in peace my dear friend. You’ll be missed by all that loved and cared for you. Love Hugs Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Family.
Joseph says
Im harold’s son there is still alot of question that flagler county hasnt answered, things with the crime scene that dont fit their story. I suspect foul play. And mark pitman you can find him on my fcso.com/inmate search is involved. The man ran me off the property twice whime i was trying to collect harolds things. Took his phone, threw it on the side of the road fortunately a nice man in a wheelchair found it and took it to the police station. Because a neighbor took me that mark was going through the house and truck after chasing me off. The man carries a weapon on him so i try not to make the situatio. Worse. The cops couldn’t stay so i had to go.
Peter Palazzotto says
Rusty was a great guy with a big heart. I’ve heard that he had a drug problem and dealt with shady people.I really find it hard to believe that he would take his own life.Every time i would see him he would always ask how I was doing and how are the boys. I don’t understand how you can publish a story on Social Media before the Forensics and toxicology reports come out. Just say it’s up in the air whether it was a homicide or it was a suicide until further investigation. Just like when you guys charged me with Kidnapping when I was just protecting my own home . It’s called the castle doctrine law. Look it up. Get your facts straight before you go and assume someone did something before you go posting this nonsense about people. Possible jurors and the Community need to know the truth about these so called crimes not some fake story that was told to the cops by some drunk guy. Then innocent people like me have to go to court for months at a time trying to prove to the States Attorney our innocence. It’s just not constitutional. My case is still going on. Since the time of the so called crime the victim has been baker acted and marchment acted. Let’s get back to Rusty. There’s no way Rusty took his own life. And I hope the ones who are behind this crime are found and prosecuted. Prayers go out to Rusty’s children and loved ones. Feel free to contact me and maybe you could write a nice article about all the wonderful things I do for the community. And let’s bring justice to Rusty!! Respectfully Peter Palazzotto 3867957873
Mark Coppola-Fay says
This was not a suicide. (for those who knew of him) Harold may you R.I.P. You were a kind, courteous man who served his country and we did wrong by you. You deserved better than this. You enjoyed life to much and appreciated it to much to do this. You will never be forgotten and will always be remembered as the Tree climber. RIP my friend.
Robin Holman says
Very sweet man,always kind.He climbed a big tree to rescue my cat.So many good stories about Harold.I am so sorry
Seashell says
Mark I have to Agree with you 1000% There is NO WAY Rusty did this to himself. He was full of Life and Loved Life, and Thanked God every single day for letting him wake up and live another day. He was a good man. And would help anyone in any way he possibly could. He was a Free Spirited and Spiritual person. So AMEN to your comment Mark.
Hammockian says
Saddened to hear about this, would do anything for anyone…. always in good spirits
steve middleton says
RIP A good hard working man always there to help his neighbors
A Very Angry Grandchild says
I am Rusty’s grandchild. I know this wasn’t suicide and I want justice for my grandfather. his neighbors, people who claimed to be his “friend” are taking his things and pawning them. Please . look into this investigation more, my Grandpa would not kill himself. not right before he was going to see his sister, not after how he saw the death of my grandmother affected my family. I wish i could have talked to him more before this happened, but i wont let this go unsolved
ASF says
Story sounds VERY fishy to me! My sincere condolences to this man’s family and friends.
Dianna says
May God hold him in his arms. One of the absolute nicest, sweetest persons who has ever worked at my home. He helped me so much. To his family, you have my deepest condolences. And I, too, do not believe for one minute it was suicide. I hope Flagler County will investigate further.
Danny Cog’s says
I totally agree with everyone ‘s comment’s. He sounds like a great person and definitely would not have harmed himself!!! Something does not seem right with the whole situation? Hope the FCSO look’s into this which I’m sure they will. Technology will definitely know if there was any foul play with this very unfortunate loss!!! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻Prayers to his family & friend’s. RIP & GOD BLESS 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻 .Danny Cog’s RET. state law enforcement officer. Palm Coast resident.
Richard Stuckey says
I have known this man, Rusty Bourgeois, for years and I am 100% positive in my mind this man did not kill himself.
Angela and Dave says
So shocked to hear about Rusty; what a good guy. Such a good soul. He was always upbeat around us and helpful to us. Our condolences to his family. We will surely miss him!
That said, what’s wrong with this picture: An upbeat man, about to travel to see his sister, no clue of any depression, and who stated many times to us his dislike of thieves, shoots himself and leaves all his belongings to thieves? We haven’t heard of a soul in the Hammock who believes this was a suicide.
This *suicide* should be thoroughly investigated. We are also wondering if the Sheriff’s Department is also investigating all the thefts? Apparently, his entire estate has been scavenged. The Sheriff’s Department needs to spend more time in the Hammock.
Steve says
I’m sure all the scammers who lived out there robbed him blind
Danny Cog’s says
Totally agree 💯 % of what Angela & Dave’s comment!!! I really hope that they, the FCSO does investigate the whole situation with the Thefts & questionable suicide. Just doesn’t sound RIGHT. HOPE some justice is done. 👍
judy cain says
Prayers for his family, Why are they allowing people to go in and take his belongings? No one should be allowed in his home. Unless they are family, and nothing should be removed until his death is settled.
Jamie says
I am Rustys oldest daughter. This investigation is still on going. Every person who knew Rusty knows suicide was never an option he was a God-fearing Catholic man.
Margaret Russell says
RIP Rusty! Our prayers are with you and your the family. We have known Rusty for many, many years and cannot believe he committed suicide. Too kind and too helpful and too happy go luck. He arrived the minute Mathew slowed down, without being called, and removed a tree from our house, would not take pay! He was that kind of person. We truly hope the FSCO investigate harder.
Michelle Bourgeois says
The name is Michelle Bourgeois and I am Rusty sister I’ve been reading these comments and it’s really nice to know that he was loved too bad he had to be dead in order for this to be said we had big plans together suicidal people don’t make future plans I guarantee on everything that I love that he did not kill himself he was very Catholic and although sometimes depressed or lonely he love life and to whoever did this may you die a slow fucking death and in doing so confess to what you have done you have totally ruined my life and left me alone including three kids I have no one else left and neither do they but each other and to all the people that loved him thank you for being a friend
Maureen Henson says
Peter I agree with your post 100%. Rusty definitely did not kill himself. I saw Rusty every morning n evening except when he was off on a hot date or playing around or riding his 4 wheelers with the guys. He was always as you said upbeat. We had just had a long discussion about how he felt about suicide while discussing another close friends murder in Pennysylvania. I know what he said & I promised him I would keep his wishes. So the police didn’t make sure the door was locked. They should have never released the crime scene. But I know for a fact no one on this property that loved him n are his dear true friends took nothing of his. The ONLY ones who did in less than 2 hours of us discovering him n they took him away, were his Step Children Joey (Joseph) & girlfriend Marissa, Carrie Jo, and Joey had brought another guy that was rude too with a pickup n started screaming n fighting over his stuff. It was quite sickening that poor Rusty wasn’t even gone 2 hours n they’re fighting. I had to walk away back to my house. They even came back Monday with a trailer loading up more stuff. Flaglerlive has the story wrong as well. Lying about people n they weren’t even there. As far as Joey/ Joseph stating Mark carried a weapon (a knife that’s his tool) so he left. He failed to tell everyone he carries a gun with a concealed permit & has shot his own self because he was so messed up on drugs plus he’s pulled his gun n threatened to shoot Rusty before several witnesses. He also along with his sister Carrie Jo destroyed the trailer they were living in on this property to the tune of over $4,000.00 leaving it totally non livable & didnt pay a dime in rent. Joey wrote his name all over the walls bragging. So we’ve done nothing but try to get justice for Rusty and will continue to do so. Joey is a Liar, thief and should be checked out for lots of reasons. I’m not saying Joey did this only that his lies are just that lies. The TRUTH DOESN’T CHANGE ONLY LIES DO. The Truth n Justice shall Prevail.
Woman of the Hammock says
I would like to thank the FCSD for their quick response. They secured the area and investigated all day. It’s no doubt Rusty had a big heart but he also had a big drug problem. REST IN PEACE.
Michelle Bourgeois says
so my name is Michelle bourgeois I was Rusty sister and the only immediate family member I can guarantee you on everything that I love that he did not hurt himself he loved life he might have been depressed sometimes he might have dipped in the wrong but he definitely wasn’t suicidal suicidal people do not make plans for the future I pray to God that whoever did this dies a slow death and in doing so I hope they confess my brother was a gentle giant with the biggest heart I’ve ever met or have known I pray that this case does not get swept under the rug and we find Justice for my brother I am now alone and so are his three kids now they only have each other I have already lost my fifteen-year-old to murder and I know on everything that I love and everything that I am that he wouldn’t have left me he was so close to moving home to the house my mother left us and anybody that believe that he did this to himself can go f#%I themselves rest in peace brother very much loved and missed never forgotten
weberlea says
the cops do not care what happens to the people in the hammock especially where that location is.
Michelle Bourgeois says
You know what’s fucked up is just because they don’t have a suspect that does not mean it wasn’t fucking murder and anybody that knows Rusty knows he wouldn’t have killed himself this whole vestigation seems to be botched
Michelle Bourgeois says
Hey baby girl your grandpa loved you and your brother so very much and thanks to you guys he did not come to Mesquite Nevada to justify his nephew’s murder I just want you guys to know how much he loved you kids Burlington
joseph says
WARNING it has come to my attention that someone is collecting donations. we are not affliliated with Maureen Henson/Markwell and Mark Pitman(boston) they are not harolds friends they are pocketing any money they get in donations.. DO NOT DONAITE TO THESE PEOPLE. donations should only go to one person and that is harolds sister Michelle Bourgeois
Michelle Bourgeois says
yeah maybe he did use drugs that still doesn’t mean he committed suicide maybe that’s why the police are treating it like just another Crackhead Gone even though his choice of drug was weed then again I’m just a bitter sister
Anonymous says
I met him thorough someone and he was definitely a very sweet man ,may he Rest In Peace …
kaya f says
Rust was a man’s man… He did not kill himself… He was marines recon…. SHERIFF STALY DO YIUR JOB INVESTIGATE THIS