Deputies seek tips in homicide of Palm Coast man found dead in Dixie County

David Rainey was stabbed and submerged in a canal behind the home where he was vacationing, according to Dixie County deputies.

By Observer Staff
| 12:00 p.m. January 7, 2022

David Rainey was found wearing the same clothing pictured here, according to the Dixie County Sheriff's Office.

Palm Coast Observer
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Deputies in Dixie County are seeking information about the homicide of a Palm Coast man who was killed while vacationing in Suwannee, on the state's west coast, this past summer.

Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the body of Palm Coast resident David Rainey, 52, submerged in a canal on July 25, 2021.

Rainey had been stabbed multiple times, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to a Dixie County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Rainey had been staying at a rented house for the weekend with his wife, Cindy Rainey, their children, and a family friend, Jeffery Sawyer.

Cindy Rainey reported that her husband was missing on Sunday morning, telling deputies that he'd walked away from the house on Saturday evening after the couple had gotten into an argument.

He'd left behind his glasses, wallet and cell phone, according to the news release.

Deputies found his body that Sunday evening in the canal behind the rental. He had been stabbed multiple times.

The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office is asking for anyone with information to contact Investigator Carrie Barcia at 352-498-1231, Ext. 227. Tipsters can remain anonymous.