INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is now treating the suspicious death in south county as a homicide, according to authorities.
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Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence in the 400 block of 12th St. SW early this morning to check the welfare of 51-year-old Michael Gray, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Gray’s wife was out of town and had not heard from him in several days. She called the Sheriff’s Office and asked that they check on him as she had concerns about the roommate whom the couple had allowed to share their home.
At approximately 12:30 a.m., deputies made contact with the Gray’s roommate, Timothy E. Gochenour, 41, at the shared home, according to authorities. Gochenour initially told deputies that Gray was at a local bar but they felt his nervousness was suspicious and checked the inside of the home, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies found Gray deceased in a bed and covered in blankets.
Detectives were called and interviewed Gochenour, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He told investigators that he had been in an argument with Gray for several days over rent and privacy issues.
He indicated that last night, Nov. 14, he put a large quantity of prescription medications in a milkshake and gave it to Gray with the intention of killing him, the Sheriff’s Office said. When Gray passed out, Gochenour put him in a bed and covered him with blankets.
The prescription medications were believed to be a combination of those belonging to both Gray and Gochenour, according to authorities.
The victim’s wife has been notified of her husband’s murder, according to authorities. Detectives and crime scene investigators remain on scene.
Gochenour was in possession of a firearm when initial contact was made with him, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He has been arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and is being booked into the Indian River County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office expects charges for the homicide to be filed today as investigators continue to uncover evidence and consult with prosecutors.
Gochenour is a registered sex offender and had reported the Grays’ address as his residence, according to authorities.
In 1997, he was arrested by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office for one count each of attempted sexual battery of a victim 12 years of age or older, burglary of an occupied dwelling with an assault/battery, and unlawful sexual contact with a minor. He was convicted on the unlawful sexual contact with a minor count and sentenced to three years in prison and six years probation.
The Florida Department of Corrections Website notes several periods of incarceration following that arrest and conviction.
Nov. 15, 8:37 a.m. – INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death in the 400 block of 12th Street SW, in south Indian River County.
Detectives are currently on the scene and no other information has been released at this time.
Sheriff’s spokesman Thom Raulen said he expects to release more information as it becomes available.
This article will be updated.