Friends grieve over man found murdered

Thomas Michael Kirby Jr. found dead Saturday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Some left flowers and balloons, some wiped away tears, and others held each other for comfort -- all in memory of 36-year-old Thomas Michael Kirby Jr., the man police say was found murdered early Saturday.

"It's really hard to talk about," said Felix Garcia, Kirby's best friend. "He didn't deserve this. He was a great guy. He wouldn't hurt anybody."

Kirby's body was found outside of an abandoned home near 11th and McMillan around 7 a.m. Saturday morning. Police aren't saying how he died, but they say it's possible he may have been killed somewhere else.

"I could take it if it was a massive heart attack, a vehicular homicide, but someone to just literally kill someone, that will make it even harder," said Robert D. Edwards, friend of Kirby.

Those who knew Kirby say his nickname was "T.J." He had a great sense of humor, loved his job at JTA and had a way of bringing out the very best in others.

"Kirby was life. If you ever met him or came into contact with him, he impacted your life because he was just Kirby," said a friend.

Police say no arrests have been made in connection with Kirby's murder. His loved ones are praying for answers. In the meantime, they're working to move forward. They say it's what he would have wanted.

"I'll remember all the good times we had with him and just stay focused on that. He wouldn't want me to be sad right now," Kirby's friend said.