Community Alert: Suspicious Death, Port Richey

Update Sept. 5, 2023: Pasco Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest for homicide as a result of a suspicious death which occurred on July 8 in the Westcott Dr. area of Port Richey.

The initial investigation indicated that an adult man had died due to extensive blunt force trauma injuries, the cause of which was unable to be determined. Additionally, the man’s home appeared to be ransacked. During the investigation, Gabriel Melgaard, 40, was interviewed and became uncooperative with the investigation. Melgaard also made phone calls to 911 for non-emergency purposes and was arrested for misuse of 911 on July 8.

Melgaard remained in jail on a violation of probation charge during further investigation. A True Bill was obtained for First Degree Murder for Melgaard on Aug. 25, after Melgaard was previously arrested for Second Degree Murder on July 26. Melgaard and the victim were known to each other.

July 10, 2023: Pasco Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a suspicious death in the Westcott Dr. area of Port Richey. PSO is seeking anyone with information in this case to submit tips.

Anyone with any information regarding this case who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com. You must contact Crime Stoppers to be eligible for a reward. You may also report tips to PSO online at PascoSheriff.com/tips or by calling the PSO Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 and refer to case number 23023774.

July 8, 2023 Original Alert: Pasco Sheriff’s Office is on scene of a suspicious death in the Westcott Dr. area of Port Richey. The case began as a death investigation, however through continued investigation, the circumstances of the death became suspicious. Just before 7 a.m. today, PSO was alerted to a deceased adult male inside a home on Westcott Dr. Through investigative efforts, detectives were able to determine that there does not appear to be a public safety threat. The investigation remains ongoing.

No additional information is available at this time, and updates will be provided when available.