World Golf Village shooting victim identified

As Putnam County deputies continue to investigate a suspicious death in World Golf Village, they’re now identifying the victim.

PCSO says 38-year-old Ellie Washtock was found dead of a gunshot in the Laterra Condominiums last week. Investigators say positive identification was delayed by the Medical Examiner's Office, because Washtock identified as both a woman and man.

Washtock's 15-year-old son is the person who found the body. Investigators aren't saying anything further about what they believe happened, other than- at this point- they consider the death to be suspicious.

While the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to investigate this death, they asked PCSO to take over the case when they learned that Washtock was independently investigating the 2010 death of Michelle O’Connell. O’Connell’s death was ruled a suicide, involving the service weapon of her then-boyfriend, who was a St. Johns County deputy. O’Connell’s family believe the boyfriend was responsible for her death. There were multiple investigations in to the death and how it was handled, with some level of fault found with both SJSO and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

PCSO asked FDLE for assistance in this death investigation, but they declined because of their history with the case and the desire to ensure the probe is transparent and unquestioned.