By DINA ARÉVALO
Port Isabel-South Padre Press
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
The body of a man was found Monday on the beaches of South Padre Island not far from Andy Bowie Park, officials report.
“When I got the call, he was … in the water on the beach,” said Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Bennie Ochoa, III during a phone interview Tuesday.
Ochoa said the man, identified as 67-year-old McAllen resident Nelson Melendez, was discovered approximately a quarter mile north of the county park.
According to initial reports, Melendez was discovered unresponsive by a beachgoer at approximately 7 a.m. Monday morning.
Ochoa said he received a call not long after, at approximately 7:30 a.m. The justice of the peace made the death declaration, saying Melendez had a gunshot wound to the head.
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