‘Person of Interest’ In Black Tulip Vandalism Case Dies
By Space Coast Daily // August 3, 2014
FORMER BLACK TULIP EMPLOYEE Dean Steven O'Hara JUMPED FROM SEVENTH FLOOR BALCONY
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — Dean Steven O’Hara of Cape Canaveral, a “person of interest” in the investigation of the burglary and vandalism to the Black Tulip, is dead after jumping from the seventh floor of a hotel in Ormond Beach on Monday, according to Cocoa Police public information officer Barbara Matthews.
Matthews said that the Cocoa Police developed leads and information that pointed to O’Hara, 50, as a “person of interest” in the crime.
According to Matthews, it was determined that evidence obtained from the scene was needed to positively identify O’Hara as the suspect and to determine if other individuals were involved.
Last week, Ormond Beach Police received a call that an unknown subject was on the seventh floor of a hotel on the beach, and acting suspiciously.
According to Matthews, when police arrived, they confronted O’Hara who, according to police, drew a knife. As police approached, O’Hara jumped over the balcony.
O’Hara was pronounced dead at the scene and the police said his death is a suicide.
According to Matthews, a van which was stolen during the Black Tulip burglary was located about a mile from the scene.
O’Hara continues to be a person of interest until lab results from evidence is completed, and the investigation is ongoing, according to police.
