Man found dead is identified

CLEARWATER -- A man found dead Saturday in the water at the north end of Island Estates in Clearwater has been identified as Charles B. Hamilton, 64, of Clearwater.

Hamilton, who lived on a boat at slip 9 at the dock at 401 East Shore, was reported missing on Friday by his landlord, who called police after finding Hamilton’s cell phone on the deck of his boat.

Officers searched Hamilton’s boat and nearby waterways but could not find him. On Saturday, police received a call about a body in the water. A family member identified the man as Hamilton.

The cause of death is unknown, but detectives said there were no signs of foul play, according to Clearwater police spokeswoman Elizabeth Daly-Watts. An autopsy was performed today. Results are pending the outcome of toxicology tests.

-- Rita Farlow, Times staff writer