Friends, family members and co-workers came together Tuesday to mourn the passing of a Coral Springs firefighter, as authorities continued their homicide investigation into his death.
Aerial footage showed the somber procession for Christopher Randazzo, whose casket was draped in an American flag as firefighters, deputies and police came together to pay their respects. The 39-year-old's remains were transported from the medical examiner to a funeral home in North Lauderdale.
The body of Randazzo, a member of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department, was found early Saturday at the Southern Seas on the Ocean Hotel in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea after deputies responded to a medical call, Broward Sheriff's Office officials said. Officials haven't said how Randazzo died, but said they're investigating it as a homicide.
Randazzo had been seen leaving the Aruba Beach Cafe around 1 a.m. Saturday, officials said. Randazzo worked there for more than 18 years before he became a firefighter.
"He was a great guy, people loved him. He was a good worker and he worked really really hard to become a firefighter and he was very proud of that. We're all very proud that he made that accomplishment in his life and it was just taken away too soon," cafe manager Guy Contrada said.
A funeral for Randazzo is planned for Thursday. Anyone with information about his death is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
