CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Scripps News Fort Myers) — Randy and Heather Jackson sat down exclusively with WFTX when their son went missing in March 2019. Before Heather knew what happened to 19-year-old Gage Jackson, her mother’s intuition kicked in.
“I think that something has to be wrong. Seriously wrong,” said Jackson.
And, there was. A week after speaking to WFTX, the 19-year-old’s body was found in Prairie Creek in Punta Gorda. No arrests have been made, but investigators say somebody knows who’s responsible for Jackson’s death. Trish Routte with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers says they’re asking for tips that could lead to an arrest and conviction.
“This didn’t just happen to Gage randomly,” she said.
Routte says today the cash reward for answers has grown to $103,000 thanks to a recent anonymous donation.
“Someone needs to be held accountable for their actions in Gage’s death,” she said.
Routte says those closest to Jackson know who that someone is, but they’re keeping quiet when it counts most.
“People within his inner circle are definitely, they have more information than they’ve been sharing with law enforcement up to this point,” she said. “Information that certain individuals in this community have is absolutely critical and pivotal in making sure that we finally get justice for Gage.”
Routte says people have been apprehensive to come forward but she says people who call their tip line will remain anonymous. That number is 1-800-780-TIPS.
This story was originally published January 22, 2021, by Rachel Loyd of WFTX in Southwest, Florida.
