Tragic Discovery: Body Found Behind Dairy Queen in Panama City Beach

134 Alf Coleman Road, Panama City Beach, FL, USA - In a shocking discovery, a corpse was found behind a Dairy Queen in Panama City Beach on July 1 at 12 p.m. The grim scene unfolded at 134 Alf Coleman Road when Dairy Queen staff were alerted by an unhoused person who reported the body. Police quickly arrived to investigate, and detectives along with crime scene personnel processed the area. As of now, the case falls under the jurisdiction of the 14th Judicial Circuit Medical Examiner’s Office, with investigations still ongoing and no additional information available.

Witnesses at the scene indicated that the body appeared to have been dead for some time, showing signs of decomposition and an infestation of maggots. Local resident Jessica Gentry believes that the deceased may be a man named Terry, who had been struggling with severe health issues. Gentry noted Terry had run out of his seizure medication and had been battling cirrhosis of the liver. The tent she provided for him was set up where the body was ultimately found, and she had been unable to contact him for several days.

The Rising Concern of Homelessness

This tragic incident brings to the forefront the ongoing homelessness crisis in Bay County. The lack of affordable housing has hit hard, made worse by the devastation brought on by Hurricane Michael and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. As reported by WJHG, local homeless camps, including one established near Highway 98 and Allison Avenue, have further highlighted the growing issue as residents face recent eviction orders due to code enforcement fines on private properties.

Stephen Fett, director of the Panama City Rescue Mission, emphasized the severe lack of available affordable housing within the community, which has forced many to seek refuge in public spaces and wooded areas. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office noted an alarming increase in homelessness, citing the influx of individuals who have migrated south due to colder weather in northern states, coupled with limited facilities for men.

The Bigger Picture

According to data compiled by End Homelessness, the situation is dire not just in Florida but globally. A staggering 653,104 people experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night in January 2023, a 12.1% increase from the previous year. More troubling, 39.3% of these individuals were unsheltered, living without any forms of housing. The national shortage of affordable units continues to be a significant driver of this crisis; only 34 affordable units are available for every 100 renters earning less than 30% of the area median income.

The numbers are staggering, with many renter households being pushed to pay over half their income on rent—a situation that has only worsened in recent years. Shockingly, approximately 61% of people experiencing homelessness are men, yet the number of women and gender-diverse individuals facing similar fates is on the rise. Historical patterns also show a worrying trend among veterans and chronically homeless individuals whose numbers have increased significantly.

As Panama City Beach grapples with its homelessness issue, the community’s ability to prevent tragedies like the one discovered behind the Dairy Queen will depend on effective strategies to address the affordable housing crisis. With more coordinated efforts and targeted investments, experts believe that solutions aimed at reducing homelessness are possible.