It is 51 days since Jason Paul was stabbed and left for dead near Crest Lake Park.
Paul was bicycling home from work and a quick stop at the store when he was found stabbed Jan. 6. Clearwater Police still are looking for a suspect, weapon and motive into the city’s first homicide of 2013.
While detectives run down leads, supporters are planning a candlelight vigil to honor the Dunedin High School graduate on Feb. 23 at Crest Lake Park.
JoAnna Siskin, president of the Skycrest Neighborhood Association, said the group wanted to show its support.
Renee Langfritz, Paul’s mother, was full of emotions when she found out about the planned community memorial.
“It just seems like something we’re dealing with,” Langfritz said. “To have the support, I was surprised and pleased.”
Paul loved his dog, Marley, a boxer mix. So, luminaries will light a procession of people from the dog park and picnic tables to the pier, Siskin said. Family and Dunedin bagpipers were asked to join the ceremony.
“It’s going to be really nice,” Siskin said. “It’s going to be beautiful, a real tribute... and shows that the family is supported by the community.”
The vigil is part of a neighborhood initiative to take back the park. Residents challenged themselves to come up with 30 days of events in Crest Lake Park as a way to invite people back to the public space.
The group is planning events including a spoken word night, doggy date night and chalk art night.
Langfritz said the memorial also benefits the investigation by keeping Paul’s crime in the public eye.
“There’s still tips coming in but nothing’s leading to anything,” Langfritz said.
Call 727-442-0096 or visit www.skycrestneighbors.org/.
Anyone with information in the stabbing death of Jason Paul is asked to call Clearwater Police's Tip Line at 727-562-4422. Send tips anonymously to 847411 (tip411) or online at the police website, www.clearwaterpolice.org, or Facebook page.
Want to Go?
- What: Jason Paul Candlelight Memorial
- When: Saturday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.
- Where: Crest Lake Park, 201 Glenwood Ave, Clearwater
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