ATLANTIC BEACH, FL – A prominent Northeast Florida businessman and well-known political donor has died.
According to multiple sources, Kent Sturman was found dead in his car at the Mayport Post Office in Atlantic Beach on Thursday evening. He was 50 years old.
Police said it is not believed to be the cause of death.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Sturmon was the subject of an “active investigation” that began several weeks before his death.
“This investigation is currently ongoing and will continue until its conclusion.” As with all active investigations, there is limited information available for release at this time. However, as soon as this investigation is complete, all applicable information will be available for public release,” Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters said in a statement to News4JAX.
Florida Politics reported that Sturmon also had health problems and suffered a stroke on Monday.
Former state Rep. Travis Cummings told News4JAX that he and Sturmon were college roommates and close friends.
“My family and the NE Florida community are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Kent Sturman. I would ask that everyone keep Christy and Abby in their thoughts and prayers while respecting their privacy. “I don’t think Kent’s contributions to our community, our first responders and those in need will ever be fully known or realized,” Cummings wrote in a statement to News4JAX.
Sturman served on the board of the Florida State University System. According to the board’s website, Sturmon was president of Total Military Management and also served on the Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Board and chaired the Governor’s Public Safety Transition Advisory Committee.
A longtime friend of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Mayor Lenny Curry, Sturmon was a well-connected political consultant for the Duval County Republican Party.
Sheriff Waters sent his best wishes to the Sturmon family.
“My condolences to the Sturman family in their time of loss. No doubt their grief will be overwhelming and my heart goes out to them,” Waters said.
DeSantis’ director of communications, Taryn Fenske, sent a statement to News4JAX.
“The governor and first lady were shocked and saddened to hear of Kent’s passing, and their prayers (and the prayers of our entire office) are with his family at this difficult time,” the statement said.
JSO said the incident surrounding his death is being investigated by the Atlantic Beach Police Department. Any further information relating thereto should be directed to them.
In 2015, Sturmon was named Citizen of the Year by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
News4JAX has reached out to Duval’s GOP and other local leaders for comment.
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