Palm Bay police investigate man's death

Palm Bay police officers are investigating a suspicious death, after a palmetto berry buyer from Immokalee, traveled to Palm Bay to do business.

Palm Bay Police continue to search for clues after 46-year-old Casey Cheney was found dead in a trailer, by palmetto berries, for which he traveled to a farm, just of Babcock Street. 

"The trailer you see behind us was a trailer that he has been using for business, so he was out here picking or selling berries in exchange," said Lt. Stephen Bland, with the Palm Bay Police Department.

We talked to Cheney's friend and pastor in Collier County, Luke Bex.

"He would buy from a regular person out picking in the fields and take them and sell to a wholesale person," he said.

Police won't say how he died, but we talked to berry buyers who say they carry thousands of dollars in cash in order to buy the saw palmetto berries. They say legislation needs to be created in the palmetto berry business, so buyers aren't targeted with so much cash. They say a buyer was recently robbed in Mims. 

Lt.  Bland added, "The detectives that are investigating don't feel comfortable with what they're seeing so until we have additional information we're listing it as suspicious."

"He's like a brother to me," Bex explained.  "We got really close last four to five years, and I want to find out whoever done this, because he's a good man."

Investigators need the public's help, as they wait for an autopsy.

"We have no information on suspects," said Lt. Bland.

Bex hopes someone comes forward with information.

"We need to be sending out prayers for the Cheney Family, because they're good people, and I know they're shocked right now. This guy was just an amazing personality. Everyone in the town 
of Immokalee, Florida loves him."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS .