The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office sent out two alerts Friday about a missing woman and a missing man. The two cases were unrelated: Francis Lopez, a resident of Palm Coast’s P Section suffering from dementia, had gone missing from her Palmwood Drive home Friday evening. Robert Barshied, a nearly 70-year-old resident of Matanzas Shores on State Road A1A, had gone missing the day before, riding off on his red bike.
Within hours on Saturday, Lopez was found in good health and returned to her family. After an extensive, at times almost frantic search, Barshied was also found, after a suicide note was discovered at his home. He was found dead today in the water not far from Bing’s Landing.
Barshied, an avid golfer and occasional cyclist who’d retired from construction-related professions in New York, had been reported missing Thursday and last seen riding his bike to the River-To-Sea Preserve not far from home. The person who called authorities informed the sheriff’s office that he had been suicidal in the past and talked about killing himself. He’d told his son, who lives in Philadelphia, that he’d been depressed over a recent medical diagnosis, and was thinking of buying a weapon. He did not own weapons but was on various medications.
He had shut off his phone, according to the sheriff’s dispatch-center 48 hours of notes on the incident. Deputies went to great lengths to get around the fact, pinging the phone, contacting Verizon and finding out that there’d been no activity on the phone on Friday: the last activity on the phone went back to Thursday afternoon at 4:35 p.m. Deputies triangulated that last contact and determined that it had occurred when the phone was six to seven miles to the southeast of a tower on State Road 206. Meanwhile a check of all local hospitals and other police agencies proved negative.
Th search was expanded to include the sheriff’s mounted posse. At 5 p.m. Friday a bike was discovered abandoned on a bike trail in the area of Malacompra Road in the Hammock, south of Matanzas Shores. There was brief, false hope when a man on a red bike was spotted in the area, but it was not Barshied (though his first name was Robert).
Late Friday night, Barshied’s wallet was found in water not far from where the bike was found. So was an empty pill bottle.
This morning, Robert Barshied was found in the water in a difficult-to-access marsh near Bings Landing, and was pronounced dead before noon.
“Not the outcome we were hoping for, but at least we can provide some closure to the family,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said today. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. (The day before, Staly had been at the funeral of a Brevard County Sheriff’s deputy.)
Jenn says
So sad. Prayers to the family and may Robert RIP
palmcoaster says
It is so sad for a handsome and sure a good family man Mr. Barshied may you be with the Lord at peace now.
May the Almighty sooth his family in this difficult time. Thank you to our Sheriff for the search.
Rick Kang says
So SAD! Prayers for him and his family!
NortonSmitty says
He made his choice. Nice area. God bless him.
MannyHM says
Was he in a lot of pain ? Or is the pain more psychological ? It can be just as bad or even worse.
This is the reason why pain control is very important and the reason as to why opiates should not be totally eliminated. Is the medical diagnosis cancer ? Some cancers grow slowly or actually very slowly that the person die from something else, not from the cancer.
I wouldn’t judge him because I don’t feel his pain, his worries, his feelings about continuing to live.
In the end, such decision is made alone.
Anonymous says
You mean to tell me he had been under doctor’s care and the doctor couldn’t tell this man was depressed????? This is so sad. My thoughts and prayers go to his son and other family members and friends. People don’t realize how much they are loved, if they did, they wouldn’t do things like this. He could have worked through his medical problems like so many other people do. It isn’t over till its over. RIP
Bc. says
No doubt he wanted to die I am sure he was in some kind of pain may he now find peace rip Robert
Jenn says
None of us know what kind of medical issues he had so nobody should be judging this man. It’s really sad that people jump to conclusions. And as far as cancer it can spread extremely quickly this I know for a fact for having to deal with and loved one and cancer. If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t post anything the poor family is mourning the loss of their loved one and don’t need to read any of your negative remarks.
Anonymous says
I am so sorry to hear about the death of this man. My sincere condolences to family and friends.
Rick Kang says
Jenn is so RIGHT! Stop the negative remarks and say prayers for Robert and his family!
Richard says
The negative remarks and personal medical opinions by unlicensed “doctors” here is atrocious. None of you know what his personal medical situation was therefore you have no right to pass judgement. Let the family deal with their grieving and if you want to post something then use the space for supporting his family and close friends.
Jason B says
After the recent school shooting I’m all out of thoughts and prayers, I’m hoping to have a new shipment in soon.
Lou says
It just shows that our society is in need of an orderly “exit” when nature make it too hopeless.
Marlee says
I respect him for making his decision.
It should be a choice that is made easier for those who decide to end their life. Only those know when.
I know it is a difficult issue for loved ones.
jane says
they are just trying to help. everyone has a different reacton to death and dying esp. in a case of suicide. no one is just sure what to say and everyone works through grief and sadness in a different way. the posters mean no harm. just offering words of sympathy
Silvereed says
I agree..
john says
RIP ROBERT..JESUS welcomes you home!!!
Layla says
This makes me so very sad. Think about how many you may be passing each day in some kind of physical or emotional pain. There are many. Love your neighbors a little more this day and every day, in memory of Robert and those suffering. Nobody should be alone.
Brian Smith says
It’s unfortunate you have to commit suicide to end the suffering, would be nice if you could just go the to just go to sleep at the hospital vs blowing your head off….
Ken says
I knew Bob Barshied for 35 years. He is the kind of man that you hope everyone could be, and you are lucky to have as a friend. He is intelligent, thoughtful, has the best sense of humor, was energetic, and has an incredible knowledge on just about everything it seemed. He loved his family and his friends, and he was ever present in our lives. Through all of his medically related pains, he was still one of the most fun and best people I know. My family will all miss him greatly, this is a tremendous loss. Rest in peace Mr. Barshied.
Florida voter says
Taken from previous FL articles:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800/273-8255
If you are concerned for someone else, read about warning signs:
https://afsp.org/about-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs/
See the University of South Florida’s Youth Suicide Prevention School-Based Guide:
http://theguide.fmhi.usf.edu/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention https://afsp.org/
Jenn says
Very sorry for your lost Ken.
Jim says
Thank you Ken, for enlightening this discussion about the character and quality of Bob. I live in Stillwater, NY, where Bob also lived, and just learned about this today. I’m frankly at a loss of words at the moment.
Jenn says
@jim sorry for your loss