- February 22, 2026
BUNNELL, Fla. — The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is saddened to share that a juvenile who was previously reported missing has been found deceased as a result of an apparent suicide. On Feb. 20, at 6:11 a.m., Khalon Pierre, 16, was reported missing by his mother, after he had not been seen since the night before. Pierre was reported to have been last seen at approximately 11 p.m. the night before. He reportedly ran away from his home in the S-Section of Palm Coast, packing a bag and leaving the area on foot with an unknown direction of travel. Pierre had previously been reported missing in 2021 but returned. Following the report, Pierre was entered as missing into the National Crime Information Center and Florida Crime Information Center databases, as well as the Florida Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Deputies canvassed the area, including a nearby residence that Pierre was known to frequent, with negative results. A be-on-the-lookout was issued and sent to law enforcement agencies including in the surrounding counties. Just hours after Pierre was reported missing, a missing juvenile alert was also posted to FCSO’s social media pages at 8:33 a.m. During the investigation, Pierre’s mother reported that he had used a debit card at a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Deland. FCSO deputies had the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center send a notice to the Deland Police Department requesting they look for him, but when Deland Police Department arrived, the Walmart was closed. FCSO deputies continued the investigation when the store reopened and located updated video of Pierre at the store leaving on his bicycle. On the night of Feb. 21, FCSO and Flagler County Fire Rescue responded to a train incident in the area of County Road 304 and Old Dupont Road in Bunnell. According to the reporting party, who called the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center at 6:55 p.m., an individual ran in front of a freight train and was struck. The train immediately activated its emergency brake and stopped. Deputies and FCFR located the individual, who was deceased. The FCSO Major Case Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to investigate the incident. During the investigation, the individual was identified as Khalon Pierre. Pierre was part of the homeschool program at Flagler Palm Coast High School but had not been in attendance at FPC in over two years. “We are incredibly saddened to share this news, as this is the outcome the family and law enforcement fear the most in any missing persons case,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our deepest condolences go out to Khalon’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time and I remind our community that help is available.” If you are feeling depressed or have suicidal thoughts, remember that help is always available by calling 911 or contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
