Police have released the name of the man who was found deceased inside a van at the CVS at Five Points in Wilton Manors.
Zachary Wilhelm, 50, a Fort Lauderdale resident who changed his name from Gregory Patterson in September, was found on Dec. 15 in a tan minivan in the parking lot of CVS.
According to the police report, the CVS manager said the van was parked in the same spot for the previous three days. He called the police after a customer complained of a foul odor emanating from the vehicle and flies inside. A HazMat team was called to the scene but only as a precaution. No toxic chemicals or substances were found.
Police have ruled the death a suicide but are withholding the cause and manner of death at this time. Per an agreement to investigate all deaths in the city, the Broward Sheriff’s Office is handling the case.