Mike Dewitt and another resident die after gas leak in Fort Myers Beach – InkFreeNews.com

By Deb Patterson
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FORT MYERS BEACH, FLA — Mike DeWitt, Lake Wawasee's former owner of The Car Company, and another person believed to have ties to Lake Wawasee, Jack Faler, died Saturday evening, Aug. 24, at a home in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

DeWitt and Faler were found dead in DeWitt's apartment, 433 Palermo Circle, by a neighbor around 9:30 p.m. after the neighbor was notified by a family member of both men who asked him to check on them. The family member had not spoken to either man all day.

The original report referred to a reported gas leak at the residence.

According to WINK TV in Fort Myers, a report from Teco Gas confirmed that an unplugged pool pump exhaust leading to the second-floor outdoor pool was leaking gas into the home. The smell of gas and a call from a concerned family member prompted a neighbor to go to the home Saturday night.

According to a 911 call, the neighbor told authorities he received a call from a neighbor to the north who asked him to check on one of the residents since they hadn't spoken to either of the men all day. The neighbor went into the house and began calling for the two residents.

According to WINK TV, in that 911 call, the neighbor could be heard recalling finding Faler in a bedroom with no pulse. Additionally, the neighbor told 911 operators that he was repeatedly told there were two people in the house. DeWitt was found upstairs in a bathroom.

It has been found that smoke detectors detect carbon dioxide but not natural gas.

LCSO said all units that responded Saturday confirmed it was a natural gas leak.

DeWitt is the listed owner of the property and purchased the property on May 8, 2018.

The Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, Iona McGregor Fire District and Lee County Emergency Services responded after receiving reports of a gas leak.

“We will miss him very much. He did a lot and helped people without being recognized for it,” said a close friend of DeWitt who wished to remain anonymous.

DeWitt is survived by his mother, Barbara DeWitt of Syracuse, and his sister, Marti (Terry) Likens of North Webster. His brother, Mark DeWitt, preceded him in death on June 8.