Panama City Beach Death Investigation: Man Found Dead in Wooded Area Near Alf Coleman Road as Police Launch Early-Stage Probe Into Hiker’s Mysterious Demise

An unsettling discovery in a wooded area off Alf Coleman Road in Panama City Beach has triggered an active death investigation by local authorities, after the body of a man—believed to be a hiker—was recovered Tuesday afternoon. The Panama City Beach Police Department has confirmed that detectives and crime scene investigators are now working to determine the cause and circumstances of the man’s death, which was reported just after midday.

Officials have not released the name of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin, nor have they offered any immediate insight into the victim’s identity, age, or how long he may have been in the woods prior to being found. However, law enforcement sources at the scene indicated that the man was discovered in a heavily wooded and semi-remote area near Alf Coleman Road, a known thoroughfare that runs parallel to a blend of residential, recreational, and commercial zones.

According to a preliminary statement from the Panama City Beach Police Department, the investigation is in its earliest stages. A team of roughly ten officers, including uniformed patrol units and members of the department’s dedicated crime scene unit, remained at the location well into the afternoon and early evening hours. Their presence was focused on preserving the integrity of the site, documenting physical evidence, and initiating the complex process of determining whether foul play may have played a role.

The term “hiker” was initially used to describe the victim, suggesting that the individual may have entered the area voluntarily—perhaps for exercise, exploration, or solitude. But without further evidence or official cause of death, investigators are not yet prepared to confirm whether the man’s death was accidental, self-inflicted, or criminal in nature.

The wooded area near Alf Coleman Road is not traditionally known for high pedestrian traffic, but it does border several undeveloped lots, trails, and spaces frequented by walkers, nature enthusiasts, and the occasional transient individual. Given the terrain and relatively low visibility from nearby roads, it remains unclear how long the body had been there prior to its discovery—or who made the initial call to police.

Detectives are expected to canvas the area for witnesses, potential surveillance footage from nearby establishments, or vehicles that may have passed through adjacent roadways during relevant time windows. The crime scene team was seen photographing the area, flagging potential evidence markers, and securing a perimeter large enough to prevent contamination.

Panama City Beach, known more for its pristine coastline and tourism-fueled economy, is unaccustomed to suspicious deaths of this nature, particularly in wooded inland zones removed from the beachfront. While the occasional hiker fatality due to heat, wildlife, or health emergencies is not unheard of, law enforcement sources emphasized that every unattended death must be treated with the utmost diligence until clear evidence rules out foul play.

Community concern has grown since the news broke, with local residents expressing unease about the circumstances surrounding the discovery. Some neighbors in the Alf Coleman Road vicinity have taken to social media asking for updates, speculating on the possibility of criminal activity, or expressing sympathy for the unknown victim and his family.

For now, officials are asking the public for patience—and for anyone with information regarding suspicious activity in the area over the past 24 to 48 hours to contact the Panama City Beach Police Department directly. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through regional tip lines.

The investigation is ongoing. The Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy in the coming days to determine the official cause and manner of death. Authorities hope that forensic analysis and any personal belongings found near the body will help quickly identify the man and offer clarity into the final moments of his life.

As of Tuesday evening, no further public statements have been issued. Updates are expected once identification is confirmed and the preliminary autopsy results are available.