Officials confirm body found on Volusia County beach as wanted murder suspect

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A body that washed up on a Volusia County beach Thursday morning was confirmed to be a suspect wanted in connection to a Gainesville murder. 

The body was found near the 3600 block of Ocean Shore, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

"The body is believed to be that of homicide suspect Xavion Perry, wanted out of Gainesville," the agency said in a social media post around Thursday afternoon, May 28. By that evening, officials confirmed the body to be Xavion Perry III. 

The medical examiner's office is now investigating how he died. 

What we know:

Daytona Beach police and Volusia County deputies have been searching for Perry since he was spotted by officers on May 26. 

According to investigators, officers in Alachua County responded to an apartment complex on Northwest 23rd Boulevard on Tuesday night after multiple reports of gunshots in the area.

Read more: Gainesville woman killed in shooting

When they arrived, they found a woman who had been shot. She died at the scene.

Police identified Perry, 31, as the suspect.

Investigators said Perry fled Gainesville and made his way to Daytona Beach. Officers spotted Perry's vehicle shortly after 11:30 p.m. near Main Street and attempted a traffic stop.

Watch: Daytona Beach manhunt

Daytona Beach Police search for murder suspect | FULL

Daytona Beach police are searching for a murder suspect that fled Alachua County. The suspect, identified as Xavion Perry III, was spotted by officers Tuesday night, May 26. 

How did Perry end up in the water? 

According to police, Perry abandoned his vehicle and led officers on a chase.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said that at some point during the chase, Perry was live-streaming on social media and made suicidal statements.