'Romantic' Partner Charged With Murder In Sarasota Hotel Death

Sarasota FL

13 December, 2021

12:39 PM

Description

SARASOTA, FL — The romantic partner of a man found dead at a hotel near the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Thursday faces charges in connection to his death, Sarasota police said in a news release. Brennan Wakey, 25, of Port Charlotte, has been charged with murder. He was arrested by Charlotte County Sheriff's Office during a traffic stop Thursday. Wakey and the victim were involved in a romantic relationship, police said. The name of the victim, who is transient and whose body was found in a room at the Hyatt Place Hotel at 950 University Parkway Thursday just before noon, is being withheld under Marsy's Law. Housekeeping found his body near the bathroom with a gunshot wound to his face and mouth, police said. Two .45 caliber spent shell casings and two .45 caliber live rounds were found on the floor nearby, according to the probable cause affidavit. During the investigation, police learned that the victim and an unidentified man entered the hotel lobby Wednesday just after 10 p.m. and rented a room. Not long after this, video surveillance footage captured the victim at a McDonald's drive-thru, police said. Video surveillance also shows the victim, Wakey and the unidentified man get out of a silver Audi in the hotel parking lot just after 2:30 a.m. Thursday. Just after 3 a.m., additional video surveillance footage shows Wakey with a handgun tucked into his rear waistband leaving the hotel, walking at a fast pace, while pulling a bag on wheels, police said. He is currently being held at the Charlotte County Jail without bail. This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 941-263-6070 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.