Murder in Seagrove

I thankfully never heard of him or met him.

As far as the homeless, I thought that was part of the reason we had the rule about no sleeping/camping on the beach.

Just because some people know an individual doesn't mean it isn't creepy, disconcerting, or potentially unsafe to have them living under your neighborhood beach walkover.

I had assumed the ones at Bramble Grove would leave/get moved along once season started.

Referring to homeless man under Bramble walkover. He may be well known to us locals, but not to a tourist. This is not what they are expecting to see on their vacation. My daughter was here not long ago and went for her early morning beach walk, around 5:30am & saw him having a beer. She came back concerned. I ask her to describe him and said he was harmless.
But we have to remember a tourist is here to relax & unwind, not to figure the out the mind set of the homeless person. Do we want the tourist to take back these memories? Let this spread around where they live, not good for future visitors. Just my two cents.

I hate to get to involved in this, but why do we have a homeless man knowingly living under a beach walkover? Wow, that is not my idea of what the beautifulest beaches in Florida should be remembered for for the ones like this little girl saw when she went for a walk on the beach. Is there not some help around here for people like this person? I would think if one is left to live there then others may feel it is o.k. to if they are in his position. I feel for him and think there should be some help for him somewhere in the area even if not in SoWal.

The long term homeless often either militantly don't want anyone's help or have mental illness issues that make it difficult to convince them to come in off the streets. I had a co-worker who was one of the big names in the FWB homelessness coalition, and even though she knew that well, she was always going to be frustrated at how hard it was to get some of those folks to temporarily come into heated shelter space when overnight temps get below 30F, much less get them into a permanent housing situation.

Agreed, and the person I am referring to seems quite content to wake up on Seagrove Beach each day, use the public facilities, hop on his bike and go see where he can scare up a sandwich. There is a difference between "homeless" and a very willing "beach bum". Both need to be addressed in Sowal, and this recent tragedy highlights the importance of reporting trespassers. Our neighborhood board will be encouraging people to report this kind of thing to the sheriff.

The long term homeless often either militantly don't want anyone's help or have mental illness issues that make it difficult to convince them to come in off the streets. I had a co-worker who was one of the big names in the FWB homelessness coalition, and even though she knew that well, she was always going to be frustrated at how hard it was to get some of those folks to temporarily come into heated shelter space when overnight temps get below 30F, much less get them into a permanent housing situation.

That's exactly the way they are in Midtown Atlanta. Even when free food is offered by volunteers in a vacant lot at the intersection of Juniper and Pine, they are reluctant to take it.

Agreed, and the person I am referring to seems quite content to wake up on Seagrove Beach each day, use the public facilities, hop on his bike and go see where he can scare up a sandwich. There is a difference between "homeless" and a very willing "beach bum". Both need to be addressed in Sowal, and this recent tragedy highlights the importance of reporting trespassers. Our neighborhood board will be encouraging people to report this kind of thing to the sheriff.

Yikes! I didn't realize Bramble Grove access is in Seagrove where I turn around on my morning walks.

I agree. This type of thing needs to be reported to the sheriff's department.

Why does it seem to matter so much where Steven was living or that he was homeless? I doubt that whatever made him crazy enough to do came from being homeless all of a sudden. And it's not like him staying at the pool increased his access to girls. He has been creepily hitting on girls in Seaside for years.

Probably the fact that he raped and killed a young girl where he had been camping out as a homeless person.

Not in any way saying that Cassine kicking him out would have prevented this horrible tragedy, but it has made us reexamine certain behaviors and the potential consequences of allowing them in our midst.

Why does it seem to matter so much where Steven was living or that he was homeless? I doubt that whatever made him crazy enough to do came from being homeless all of a sudden. And it's not like him staying at the pool increased his access to girls. He has been creepily hitting on girls in Seaside for years.

So given that statement, did anyone ever find him threatening enough to report him sooner? Sounds like he had a history of being a creep. Shouldn't he have been on the local communities radar? Can we do anything more to make sure that those "creepily hitting on girls" are watched more carefully. I don't know, I'm just still so upset about this.

So given that statement, did anyone ever find him threatening enough to report him sooner? Sounds like he had a history of being a creep. Shouldn't he have been on the local communities radar? Can we do anything more to make sure that those "creepily hitting on girls" are watched more carefully. I don't know, I'm just still so upset about this.

Not really, because he wasn't doing anything (as far as we know) that was illegal. If every guy who ever hit on girls in Seaside was watched closely then we would have other problems.

A friend of mine told me that someone we knew had murdered a tourist in Seagrove, and this guy was my first guess. He was the kind of kid that you were nice to because you hoped that when he went on a killing spree, he would let you live.

But despite all this, he never did anything that anyone could do something about. It's the same thing with Jared Loughner. He got dismissed from college and the professor felt he was dangerous, but nobody can do anything until he goes on a murderous rampage.

There is no easy solution to this problem.

Agreed, and the person I am referring to seems quite content to wake up on Seagrove Beach each day, use the public facilities, hop on his bike and go see where he can scare up a sandwich. There is a difference between "homeless" and a very willing "beach bum". Both need to be addressed in Sowal, and this recent tragedy highlights the importance of reporting trespassers. Our neighborhood board will be encouraging people to report this kind of thing to the sheriff.

We have witnessed what appears to be a homeless person at the Santa Clara beach access and have contacted the TDC who told us they were aware of the situation but had no jurisdiction and suggested we call the non emergency number for the sheriff's department, 850.267.2000.

Have ya'll seen the Sheriff's facebook page? I'm very impressed with the way they handled things and following up and attending Courtney's funeral. One of my friends in Vidalia attended and she said our reps from the S.O. led the family out of the church and that the people of Toombs county were very moved that they were there.
https://www.facebook.com/WaltonCountySheriff

Bad Idea

From the responses to my post, and from the nature of this 'Forum', I realize I made a big mistake in speaking my mind on this subject. The basis of this site and the nature of the postings tells me that the concensus here is to apologize for this random act and be satisfied it could not have been prevented.

Given that any such act is by its nature unpredictable. However, one of the early posters put very sucinctly. He said that some people should just get out of the way of those who do have a solution, who are realists and have seen this situation either avoided or at least mitigated over time. That could mean any number of tangible actions such as incarceration for vagrancy, trespassing or assault, all having happened prior to the violence last week. Any judge viewing the facts would have remanded this man to a facility for examination, and ordered him detained indefinitely as a threat to society. It sounds like his parents would have cooperated in this effort.

I too have sympathy and offer my own prayers for the family. I just hope that next time we all re-evaluate our attitude of helplessness and do some proactive. What could it hurt?

If I offended anyone with my post, I apologize. Not necessary to counter my opinions. I'm off the air.

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Andy - is that you?..:scratch:

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I am a single mom currently in seagrove with my young child. The past 3 nights we have seen the same 2 men in the same clothes at sunset drinking and smoking at the bottom if the walkover. It does make me feel uneasy when we walk past them at night. The reason we come to sowal is for the safety. We use the walkover by Tom thumb. This is our first stay in seagrove. In the past we stayed in seacrest. I realize nowhere is perfect but sowal is close for me. I question whether to return to seagrove or stay where there is security on site such as Rosemary. Thoughts? Thanks! We have enjoyed our stay however.

Also, as to the Bramble Grove man; I think I know who you are referring too and I am tired of him being there. He has been lurking and approaching vacationers up and down 30A for years.......seems like every time we are down we see him annoying someone. He seems to think he is charming. Have I described the right guy?

yes - EXACTLY. not "homeless" - a hobo. hits people on the beach for $$.

I am a single mom currently in seagrove with my young child. The past 3 nights we have seen the same 2 men in the same clothes at sunset drinking and smoking at the bottom if the walkover. It does make me feel uneasy when we walk past them at night. The reason we come to sowal is for the safety. We use the walkover by Tom thumb. This is our first stay in seagrove. In the past we stayed in seacrest. I realize nowhere is perfect but sowal is close for me. I question whether to return to seagrove or stay where there is security on site such as Rosemary. Thoughts? Thanks! We have enjoyed our stay however.

yes - uneasy is the word. the men live there. the camp should not be there. there ARE facilities for those who need help. these men choose to live this life - and it is somewhat creepy. we have observed them panhandling on most occasions that we see them at their camp. it is obvious that the authorities know they are there and choose not to do anything about it. why is that?

Not really, because he wasn't doing anything (as far as we know) that was illegal. If every guy who ever hit on girls in Seaside was watched closely then we would have other problems.

A friend of mine told me that someone we knew had murdered a tourist in Seagrove, and this guy was my first guess. He was the kind of kid that you were nice to because you hoped that when he went on a killing spree, he would let you live.

But despite all this, he never did anything that anyone could do something about. It's the same thing with Jared Loughner. He got dismissed from college and the professor felt he was dangerous, but nobody can do anything until he goes on a murderous rampage.

There is no easy solution to this problem.

this is the point that i was trying to make yesterday - you did it so much better than i!

We have witnessed what appears to be a homeless person at the Santa Clara beach access and have contacted the TDC who told us they were aware of the situation but had no jurisdiction and suggested we call the non emergency number for the sheriff's department, 850.267.2000.

thanks and good luck!

A friend of mine told me that someone we knew had murdered a tourist in Seagrove, and this guy was my first guess. He was the kind of kid that you were nice to because you hoped that when he went on a killing spree, he would let you live.

Wow.

Sorry, but statements like that make me think there were prior actions of his that someone could have acted on.

You compare him to Loughner, but at least Loughner was banned from school until he got psychiatric help.

Here is Toombs county local reports on the service yesterday.

http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=14959338

Teammates of Courtney Wilkes wore their Toombs County High soccer uniforms to her funeral to remember the girl who gave her all to everything she did. Others called her a community leader in so many ways.
"Courtney was number one in her class, a great student. Very well rounded, she attended church, she played sports," said Chari Smith, a TCHS parent.
Folks covered Vidalia and Lyons in white ribbons to remember the 15-year-old girl killed last week while she vacationed with her parents in Florida. The crime has shocked everyone.
"I have a 16 year old. It could have been my child," said Cindy Hendrix, one of Courtney's teachers this past year. "This family was kind and caring and this child was too."
Even people who didn't know her stood reverently on the street outside First Baptist Church to show their support.
"If it was my child, I'd just want to know that people care to show up and support the family," said Brooke Fulmer, in a voice choked with emotion.
Maybe the most touching sight outside the service was the Walton County Sheriff's Office patrol cars, from the Florida community where Courtney was killed. Those investigators wouldn't talk about the case, just the heart break of it.
"We got to know this family from dealing with them after this offense occurred," said Major Graham Fountain. "We got to know them and they developed a special place in our hearts."
Some at the funeral said their hearts are broken by an evil that took an innocent girl's life and the innocents of their community.
"I feel angry. I'm a Christian woman but I feel angry. I feel the sense of loss for this family and for everyone," said Hendrix.
She said that loss will be felt for a long time. Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Florida man charged in Courtney's murder remains in jail.

http://www.thecoastalsource.com/mos...lkes-laid-to-rest/1R0A8dzYA029ajoroC5PZQ.cspx

A Toombs County girl murdered in Florida last week was laid to rest Wednesday.

Courtney Wilkes, 15, was killed during a family vacation in Walton County on June 16. Steven Anthony Cozzie, a 21-year-old native of Florida, is charged with her murder.

Wednesday, hundreds escorted Wilkes to her final resting place. It was a funeral that came much too soon, devastating a family and people all over Toombs County. But, when the time came to lay Courtney Wilkes to rest, these folks were ready.

Her Toombs County High School soccer teammates made walls to escort her casket from the First Baptist Church of Vidalia to the hearse. Ribbons, balloons and supporters lined the procession route.

"I've been going to church all my life, I've attended many funerals, and it was the most awesome service I have ever been to," Lisa McCormick said. The Wilkes family frequented her gym, located across from First Baptist, and her husband taught Courtney at Vidalia Heritage Academy. "Courtney spoke, that was her funeral and she really spoke."

The star student and athlete was killed last week during a family vacation. Even the men charged with bringing Courtney's killer to justice took pause to mourn.

"We've gotten to know the Wilkes family," Lt. Michael Howell, Walton County Sheriff's Office, said. "We just felt [that] us as public servants, we needed to be here to support them through this."

Howell and other deputies drove six hours from Walton county to be here.

"They are tremendously strong people," Howell said. "They are Christian people who did not deserve what happened to them. I don't understand what happened, but I can tell you they have helped me as an investigator working on this case [to] be strong."

He met the family less than a week ago, but their bond is now forged tight. Though Courtney's gone, she won't be forgotten.

"The whole community loves them and supports them," McCormick said. "We will just continue to pray for them."

Thank you Scooterbug, and Pilot is right........this was not some completely unpreventable or random act of nature, it was a deliberate crime by a person known to be threatening. There is nothing else we can do for Courtney now; but call the Sheriff in the future. We need to be more proactive and adopt a "neighborhood watch" mentality. Sowal is a better place than most, and the full time residents are key to keeping it that way.

In the past the county had signs posted at public parks "hours: dawn till dusk". The parks were patroled and anyone violating were asked to move along. That meant no overnighters.

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/ellis-7044-murder-son.html


"Melody Ellis thought kicking her son out of the house would be the toughest moment in her life.

With tear-filled eyes and a look of exhaustion, Ellis spoke to The Sun about the last interaction she had with her son, Steven Anthony Cozzie, before he was charged with the murder of 15-year-old tourist Courtney Wilkes.

“I kicked him out of the house to show him tough love,” she said Tuesday. “I just never thought I’d wake up one day to this mess.’’

The 21-year-old South Walton High School graduate was arrested Friday, June 17, and charged with the murder of Wilkes, who was vacationing with her family at Beachcrest condominiums. A Walton County Sheriff's Office arrest report indicates that Wilkes was killed off a trail near her condo with a blow from an unknown weapon.

According to the report, one of Cozzie's friends said he took him to see the body and told him that he had killed Wilkes by hitting her on the head with a stick. That friend later reported the body to the Sheriff's Office and led deputies to the scene.

Cozzie’s court date is July 19 where he may enter a plea to the premeditated murder charge, which is punishable by a death sentence or life in prison.

Ellis spoke about her son and her grief during an interview at her house in Seagrove. She has plenty of questions, but investigators are offering few answers.

According to Ellis, before the arrest, Cozzie told his brother that he had to go to work at Bruno’s Pizza in Seagrove Beach later that evening. Ellis called Bruno’s later looking for her son, and she was told he had the day off and that the police were looking for him.

Later that evening while on the phone, she found out that he was being arrested for murder.

“I just lost it. Started crying, felt sick,” she said.

“My heart goes out to the Wilkes family,” she added. "I just feel awful for them.''

Since the arrest, she’s seen her son twice while visiting him at Walton County Jail. Ellis said Cozzie told her he was under the influence of drugs and he didn’t remember anything about that night.

“When I went to visit him, he did tell me he was sorry,” she said. “Sorry for everything that he’d done to get kicked out and everything leading up to the incident. He was pretty emotional.”

In the second visit, he was more clear and told her “I didn’t lay a hand on her,” according to Ellis.

Cozzie moved to the area when he turned 18 and moved in with Ellis. Ellis said they had separated in Illinois when he was 3 years old after she and Cozzie’s father divorced. She and her son eventually reunited when she located him in Berry, Ala., where he had moved with his father.

“When I found him he appeared as if he had been through some emotional abuse,” she said. “He was very distant.”

After his move, however, she said Cozzie started to come out of his shell, but he has always been treated like an “outcast” at school, where he was a special needs student.

The Sun spoke to several acquaintances of Steven who did not want to speak on the record. While some described him as socially awkward, others painted a picture of “a nice guy” who was sometimes a little "slow."

Shirley Guzman, who works at A-List Hair Salon, said Cozzie was a regular at the salon, which is next door to the restaurant where Cozzie worked as a dishwasher.

Guzman said "he was someone I wouldn't have thought twice to give a ride to."

But Jerry Michael, a fellow student at South Walton High, said Steven did not have many friends and “always put everyone on edge and made them feel really uneasy.”

As the small community reels from the news, the investigation is ongoing. According to an article in the Northwest Florida Daily News, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mike Morrison said DNA testing is being conducted. The autopsy report for Wilkes had not been completed yet, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The report will determine the cause and manner of Wilkes’ death.

There are no other suspects in the case. Ellis, however, believes there’s more to the story.

“He was someone to run from confrontation much less committing an act of violence,” Ellis said. “I think that if he was drug induced and did something like this, or if he was forced to do something like this, then he needs to pay the cost. But I'm also saying whoever was with him also needs to join him."

JT has business cards, so I'd say he's more of a travelling businessman than a hobo.

JT has business cards, so I'd say he's more of a travelling businessman than a hobo.

And he also has money to drink every night at Angelina's bar. I stopped going to watch the sunset at the walkover because he is always there and is always bothering people.