Sunkiss Berries, 33, Found Dead Floating Near Fort Pierce Waterfront: Body Discovered by Sea Tow Between North and South Bridges; Police Reviewing Jaycee Park Encounter.

FORT PIERCE, FL – Tuesday, May 12, 2026 / Wednesday, May 13, 2026 – A tragic discovery along the Fort Pierce waterfront Tuesday morning has left family, friends, and the broader Treasure Coast community searching for answers after the body of 33-year-old Sunkiss Berries was found floating in the water near the Turn Basin area. What began as a routine morning for local boaters quickly turned into a heartbreaking recovery operation that has raised far more questions than answers.

According to the Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD), the woman’s body was located shortly before 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the water between the north and south bridges in Fort Pierce. Personnel from Sea Tow—a private marine assistance company—spotted the body during their morning operations and immediately alerted emergency responders. Multiple agencies rushed to the scene, including the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and the St. Lucie County Fire District.

Officials confirmed that Sunkiss Berries was pronounced dead at the location. Her body was later recovered at the Museum Pointe Park boat ramp, where the investigation was formally handed over to Fort Pierce Police detectives. The discovery has sent shockwaves through the community, where Berries was known and loved by many.

The Discovery: A Morning of Shock and Sorrow

The Turn Basin area of Fort Pierce is a well-known waterfront location, popular with boaters, fishermen, and residents who enjoy the scenic views of the Indian River Lagoon. The area between the north and south bridges is a busy waterway, making the discovery of a body there all the more jarring for those who witnessed it.

A Sea Tow crew, conducting routine morning patrols, was the first to spot the body. In a statement released by the company, Sea Tow expressed its condolences to the family of Sunkiss Berries and confirmed that its crew followed proper protocol by immediately notifying authorities.

“Our crew members were deeply shaken by what they found,” the statement read. “We are cooperating fully with the Fort Pierce Police Department and hope that investigators are able to provide answers to the family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Following the initial discovery, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit arrived on scene to secure the area and assist with the recovery. The St. Lucie County Fire District provided additional support, including water rescue personnel. The body was carefully recovered and transported to the Museum Pointe Park boat ramp, where detectives from the Fort Pierce Police Department took custody of the scene.

Museum Pointe Park, located along the waterfront, became the staging area for the investigation. Police tape cordoned off the boat ramp area as detectives documented the scene, photographed evidence, and began the painstaking work of determining what happened to Sunkiss Berries.

The Victim: Sunkiss Berries – A Life Remembered

Sunkiss Berries, 33, was a resident of the Fort Pierce area. While authorities have not released extensive personal details pending formal family notification, those who knew her have begun to share memories of a woman whose name—Sunkiss—seemed to reflect her personality.

Friends describe Berries as someone who brought light and warmth to every room she entered. She was known for her infectious laugh, her creative spirit, and her deep love for the Florida coastline. “She was always smiling,” said longtime friend Destiny Rodriguez, speaking outside the police department. “Even when things were hard, she found a way to make you laugh. She loved the water. She loved being outside. It’s so cruel that the water is where she was found.”

Berries was also a devoted mother, according to social media posts and statements from friends. She is survived by her young child, whose name has not been released to protect the family’s privacy. Friends have described her as a fiercely loving parent who worked hard to provide for her family.

In the hours following the announcement of her death, grief poured across social media. Friends posted photos of Berries smiling, laughing, and enjoying life. The hashtag #JusticeForSunkiss began trending locally, though investigators have not yet determined whether foul play was involved.

“I can’t believe you’re gone,” wrote one friend on Facebook. “You were too young. You had so much life left to live. I hope they find out what happened to you. Rest easy, Sunkiss.”

The Police Investigation: A Prior Encounter at Jaycee Park

As detectives began their investigation, they revealed a crucial piece of information: an officer with the Fort Pierce Police Department had encountered Sunkiss Berries the day before her body was found. That encounter occurred during a service call at Jaycee Park, another waterfront park located in Fort Pierce.

Police have not released specific details about the nature of that interaction. They have not disclosed whether Berries was in distress, whether she was alone, or whether the service call involved a report of suspicious activity, a welfare check, or some other matter. What is known is that the officer spoke with Berries at Jaycee Park on Monday, May 11, 2026—less than 24 hours before her body was discovered floating between the north and south bridges.

“This encounter is actively being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation,” said a spokesperson for the Fort Pierce Police Department. “We are examining body camera footage, officer reports, and any other available documentation to determine whether this interaction has any bearing on the circumstances surrounding Ms. Berries’s death.”

The disclosure has raised questions about whether Berries was in crisis at the time of the Jaycee Park encounter, whether she received appropriate assistance, and whether anything could have been done to prevent her death. Police have not suggested any wrongdoing by the officer involved, but the review is standard procedure in any case where law enforcement had recent contact with a deceased individual.

Jaycee Park, located along the Fort Pierce waterfront, is a popular public space featuring walking paths, picnic areas, and views of the Indian River Lagoon. It is also a location known to be frequented by individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health crises, according to local advocates. Whether Berries fell into any of these categories has not been disclosed by officials.

Cause of Death: No Obvious Signs of Trauma

One of the most critical aspects of the investigation is the cause and manner of Sunkiss Berries’s death. According to the Fort Pierce Police Department, there were no immediate signs of trauma or obvious evidence of foul play when her body was recovered.

However, officials stressed that this preliminary assessment is just that—preliminary. The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the District 19 Medical Examiner’s Office, which serves St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. An autopsy has been scheduled, and results are pending.

The absence of visible trauma leaves open several possibilities. Berries may have drowned accidentally. She may have died from a medical event, such as a heart attack or seizure, that occurred while she was in or near the water. She may have died by suicide. Or, despite the lack of obvious trauma, she may have been the victim of foul play—such as strangulation, poisoning, or a drowning caused by another person—that left no immediate external marks.

Toxicology testing will also be conducted as part of the autopsy. Those results, which can take several weeks to process, will reveal whether alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs were present in Berries’s system at the time of death. The toxicology report could provide critical context for understanding her state of mind and physical condition before she entered the water.

Detectives are also reviewing surveillance footage from the Turn Basin area, the north and south bridges, Museum Pointe Park, and Jaycee Park. Any footage showing Berries on Monday or Tuesday—alone or with others—could help establish a timeline of her final hours.

Community Response: Grief, Confusion, and a Search for Answers

The discovery of Sunkiss Berries’s body has deeply impacted the Fort Pierce community. Known for its waterfront charm and tight-knit neighborhoods, Fort Pierce is a city where residents tend to look out for one another. The death of a 33-year-old woman under such mysterious circumstances has left many feeling unsettled.

A small memorial has already been established at Museum Pointe Park, near the boat ramp where Berries’s body was recovered. Flowers, candles, and handwritten notes have been placed at the site. One note reads: “Sunkiss, you were a light. We will find out what happened. Rest in peace.”

Community advocates have also raised concerns about mental health resources and waterfront safety in Fort Pierce. “We need to be asking hard questions,” said local activist Maria Hernandez. “Was Sunkiss in crisis? Did anyone try to help her? Are there enough resources for people who are struggling? And if this was foul play, we need to make sure whoever did this is brought to justice.”

The Fort Pierce Police Department has encouraged anyone with information to come forward, no matter how insignificant it may seem. “Even a small detail—a conversation you had with her, a place you saw her, a vehicle you noticed—could be the key to solving this case,” the department said in a statement.

How the Public Can Help

The Fort Pierce Police Department is actively seeking information from anyone who may have seen Sunkiss Berries in the days or hours before her death. Detectives are particularly interested in her movements on Monday, May 11, 2026 (the day of the Jaycee Park encounter) and the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Fort Pierce Police Department at 772-462-6800.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS (8477) or online at tcwatch.org. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.

Residents and business owners in the areas of Jaycee Park, Museum Pointe Park, the Turn Basin, and the north and south bridges are encouraged to review any surveillance or doorbell camera footage from between 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, and 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12.

A Final Farewell

As the medical examiner’s office works to determine how Sunkiss Berries died, her family and friends are left to mourn a life taken far too soon. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. A GoFundMe campaign established by family friends to assist with funeral expenses had raised over $4,000 within its first 24 hours.

“Sunkiss didn’t have much, but she had a huge heart,” the campaign organizer wrote. “Please help us give her the dignified goodbye she deserves.”

In a brief statement released through a family spokesperson, Berries’s family expressed their gratitude for the community’s support and their hope for answers. “We are heartbroken,” the statement read. “We ask for privacy as we grieve. And we ask anyone who knows anything to please come forward. We need to know what happened to our Sunkiss.”

The waterfront of Fort Pierce is quieter this week. The boats still glide across the Indian River Lagoon, and the sun still rises over the Turn Basin. But for those who knew Sunkiss Berries, something is missing—a light that has gone out far too soon.

Rest in peace, Sunkiss Berries. You were seen. You were loved. And you will not be forgotten.