News Release

FORT MYERS BEACH, FLA — Mike DeWitt, Lake Wawasee, former owner of The Car Company, and another individual who is said to have connections to Lake Wawasee, Jack Faler, died Saturday night, Aug. 24, at a home in Fort Myers Beach, Fla.

Mike DeWitt

DeWitt and Faler were found dead inside DeWitt’s residence, 433 Palermo Circle, at approximately 9:30 p.m. by a neighbor, after the neighbor had been notified by one of the two men’s family member asking him to check on them. The family member had not talked to one of the men all day.

The initial report was a reported gas leak at the residence.

According to WINK TV in Fort Myers, a report from Teco Gas confirmed a disconnected pool pump exhaust that led up to the second-story outdoor pool caused gas to leak into the house. The smell of gas and a call from a family member worried about their loved one sent a neighbor inside the home on Saturday night.

According to a 911 call, the neighbor told authorities he had received a call from a neighbor up north asking him to check on one of the occupants as they had not talked to one of the men all day. The neighbor walked in the house and started calling out to the two occupants.

According to WINK TV, in that 911 call the neighbor could be heard recalling finding Faler in a bedroom without a pulse. Additionally, the neighbor told 911 operators, he kept being told there were two people in the home. DeWitt was found upstairs in a bathroom.

It was noted smoke detectors will detect carbon dioxide, but not natural gas.

LCSO said all units that responded on Saturday confirmed it was a natural gas leak.

DeWitt is listed as the owner of the property and purchased the property on May 8, 2018.

Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, Iona McGregor Fire District and Lee County EMS responded after receiving reports of a gas leak.

“He is going to be missed greatly. He did a lot, helped people without recognition,” according to a close friend of DeWitt’s, who did not wish to be identified.