FLORAL CITY – Just hours after handing in his resignation from the St. Petersburg City Council, John Bryan drove to a property he owns in Citrus County and committed suicide.
Bryan was under criminal investigation for allegedly having sexual relationships with three females in his home – two of them his teenage adopted daughters.
The 56-year-old’s body was discovered by a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times who went to Floral City to talk to Bryan.
The Times reported he was slumped over in a golf cart inside his garage. A still running lawn mower was parked nearby.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker issued a statement through a spokesperson saying “My thoughts and prayers are with the Bryan family tonight.”
Councilman Earnest Williams told The Associated Press on Friday evening that he was shocked by Bryan’s passing.
“I was very surprised and amazed,” Williams said. “He was always willing to help out other folks. It’s just a sad day for everyone involved.”
In a resignation letter released to the media earlier Friday, Bryan wrote, “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the citizens of this great community for their confidence in me to represent them. It has been a pleasure to work with one of this city’s finest Mayors, and extremely effective City Council, and a truly great city staff.”
According to court sources, a female who used to be in the Bryan home – who is now an adult – came forward claiming she had a sexual relationship with him that began when she was still a minor.
She also claimed Bryan had sex with his two adopted teenage daughters.
Bryan claimed in court that the relationship with the older girl took place after she became an adult – and was consensual.
He denied having any sexual relationship with the two younger girls.
According to a bio on the St. Petersburg city website, Bryan was married with three grown children and two school-aged children.
Bryan was first elected to the District 2 Council seat in 2001, and re-elected in 2005. Before seeking office, he retired from his own business Bryan Homes – which has built over 300 homes in the St. Petersburg area.