Cops: Body Found Outside Boca Raton Plaza Hotel Had Wound Likely Self-Inflicted

The Boca Plaza Hotel. (Credit: Google Earth)

Boca Raton police said Tuesday that it was unlikely foul play was behind the death of a man in a hotel parking lot on Federal Highway.

Police responded Monday night at about 5 p.m. to a report of a possible deceased male near the parking lot at 2901 N. Federal Highway, home to the Boca Plaza Hotel. The report was called in by a hotel employee and when officers arrived, they found a deceased adult male wrapped in a blanket in the bushes with blood visible, according to Officer Jessica Desir.

The man was ultimately identified as Paul Colombo, 61, whose hometown was not immediately known.

With no other information initially available after making the discovery, officers held the scene and Boca Raton Police detectives and the medical examiner’s office were called to assist with the investigation, Desir said.

Further investigation revealed Colombo had a gunshot wound to the head, and a firearm was located within the blanket. It was determined the man had been a guest at the hotel but checked out days earlier. Hotel staff had been holding his luggage as a courtesy.

Detectives gathered additional information and spoke with family members.

“Based on the investigation, it appears the male died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” the statement from police said.