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The Titusville Police Department (TPD) has officially identified human remains found earlier this week as those of Jesse Kirk, a beloved 72-year-old longtime Titusville resident. The announcement came during a press conference where law enforcement provided new details in the ongoing homicide investigation, which has shaken the tight-knit community.
On March 4, 2025, authorities launched a missing persons investigation after family members reported Jesse Kirk missing. That morning, her white Lincoln Navigator was seen on surveillance cameras in Titusville. By 8:29 a.m., her niece alerted police after spotting a familiar vehicle — a red Honda SUV belonging to David Barber, the estranged boyfriend of a Kirk family member — near the scene.
Shortly after, at 9:36 a.m., the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle fire near the intersection of State Road 520 and State Road 50. The burned vehicle was later confirmed to be Kirk’s white Lincoln Navigator, identifiable by its Florida State Seminoles license plate.
Around noon, Titusville detectives observed Barber behaving suspiciously near the Somerset condos. He was arrested at 12:20 p.m. for loitering and prowling, as well as grand theft auto related to Kirk’s vehicle. Just over two hours later, human remains were discovered south of the Hover Canal in Brevard County. Those remains have now been confirmed as Jesse Kirk’s.
David Barber remains the sole person of interest in Kirk’s death. Police say Barber, the estranged boyfriend of a Kirk family member, was present near the scene where the investigation began and was seen on surveillance cameras moving Kirk’s vehicle.
When arrested, Barber had injuries consistent with burns and scratches, raising further suspicion. Witnesses also reported seeing him entering and exiting Kirk’s vehicle overnight. During questioning, Barber was evasive, telling officers, “I don’t feel correct,” and failing to provide clear answers.
TPD shared images of Barber from March 4, including one showing him wearing a light-colored hat, and they also released photos of his vehicle — a burgundy Honda CRV with a Sheriff’s Association license plate.
Kirk’s death has left the Titusville community reeling. Known for her compassion and humanitarian spirit, Jesse Kirk was actively involved with the Children’s Advocacy Center, the Parrish Medical Center Foundation, and was a recipient of the Navy League Humanitarian of the Year award.
“She was a kind individual and had a gift to connect with anyone and everyone she met,” TPD said in a statement. “It’s gut-wrenching. It’s a heinous crime. She was very much loved by a lot of our community.”
The investigation remains “very, very active,” with detectives combing through surveillance footage, gathering witness statements, and mapping Barber’s movements between the evening of March 3rd and the discovery of Kirk’s remains on March 4th.
TPD is asking for the public’s help, particularly from anyone who may have seen a person walking in the area of State Road 520 and State Road 50 between 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. on March 4th. Investigators are also seeking any information from individuals who were south of the Hover Canal in Brevard County during the early morning hours of March 4th.
“We urge anyone who may have retraced their steps or remembered seeing anything unusual to contact us,” police said. “Our goal has been and will continue to be to bring justice and closure to Miss Kirk’s family.”
Authorities confirmed Kirk’s remains were severely burned, adding another chilling layer to the case. While Barber remains uncooperative, detectives are confident that further evidence and public assistance will help piece together the events leading to Kirk’s tragic death.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Titusville Police Department.
