The Mysterious Disappearance of Stephen Causey: A Florida Attorney's Unsolved Murder
In March 2023, the tranquil working environment of a Largo, Florida law office was shattered when 41-year-old attorney Stephen Causey mysteriously vanished. Causey, a bankruptcy law specialist who graduated from Stetson University in 2016, disappeared after stepping away from his desk to use the communal bathroom. His office remained exactly as he left it—computer on, music playing from his phone, wallet and car keys in plain sight—suggesting he had every intention of returning.
The alarming discovery was made by Jake Blanchard, managing partner at the firm and Causey's close friend. Upon investigating the bathroom, Blanchard found suspicious blood stains and evidence of bleach cleaning, immediately contacting authorities. Surveillance footage later revealed a gloved man entering the building shortly before Causey arrived that morning, then leaving two hours later with a heavy cart. The suspect's vehicle, a gray Toyota Tundra, was eventually traced to a prominent Tampa Bay plastic surgeon who had already fled when authorities connected him to the case.
Key Takeaways
Stephen Causey disappeared from his law office after leaving his desk with personal items behind, indicating he planned to return.
Blood evidence and chemical cleaning agents were discovered in the communal bathroom, suggesting foul play occurred.
Surveillance footage captured an unidentified man entering and leaving the building with what investigators believe was Causey's body.
The Vanishing of Stephen Causey
Sequence of Disappearance
On March 21, 2023, a typical Tuesday morning in Largo, Florida turned tragic when 41-year-old attorney Stephen Causey mysteriously disappeared from his workplace. Causey arrived at Blanchard Law offices at approximately 8:37 AM, as confirmed by external surveillance footage.
Between his arrival and his scheduled 10:30 AM virtual court hearing, Causey left his office to use the communal restroom. His workspace showed clear signs he intended to return promptly - an unfinished email remained open on his computer screen, music played softly from his phone, and his wallet and car keys sat nearby.
When Causey failed to return after an extended period, his colleague and close friend Jake Blanchard grew concerned and began searching for him. Surveillance cameras verified Causey never exited the building, yet he was nowhere to be found inside. His vehicle remained in the parking lot.
External security footage revealed a suspicious gray Toyota Tundra arriving at 8:32 AM, two minutes before an unidentified gloved man entered carrying a large box and backpack. The same individual departed at 10:22 AM wearing different clothing and pulling a heavy cart covered with what appeared to be a red blanket. The man struggled to load this weighty item into the truck bed.
Law enforcement cameras later tracked this vehicle traveling toward Tarpon Springs, with images suggesting a human-shaped form under covering in the truck bed. The vehicle was eventually traced to a luxury home owned by Dr. Thomas Kazowski, a Tampa Bay plastic surgeon, though he had already fled by the time authorities made this connection.
Primary Scene Examination Results
When Jake Blanchard entered the shared bathroom while searching for Causey, he immediately noticed several concerning elements. What appeared to be blood stains marked the entrance door, with similar stains visible on the toilet stall wall and at the toilet base.
Blanchard was struck by an unusually strong smell of bleach and cleaning chemicals, suggesting targeted cleaning of specific areas rather than routine maintenance. His observations prompted an immediate call to police.
Forensic teams confirmed through rapid testing that the stains were indeed blood. Their investigation revealed evidence that a substantial amount of blood had been cleaned from the bathroom floor. Key findings included:
White fibers matching those found in Causey's car
A left index fingerprint on the utility room door
Signs of extensive cleanup efforts using bleach
The utility room location was particularly suspicious as it was an out-of-the-way area rarely accessed by building occupants or visitors. One week prior to Causey's disappearance, on March 14, another building employee reported seeing a man hiding behind this utility room door - suggesting possible premeditation and surveillance of the location.
Investigators theorize the perpetrator may have waited in this concealed position, watching for an opportunity to follow Causey into the bathroom, where the door could be locked without raising immediate concerns.
The Vanishing of Stephen Causey
Sequence of Disappearance
On March 21, 2023, a typical Tuesday morning in Largo, Florida turned tragic when 41-year-old attorney Stephen Causey mysteriously disappeared from his workplace. Causey arrived at Blanchard Law offices at approximately 8:37 AM, as confirmed by external surveillance footage.
Between his arrival and his scheduled 10:30 AM virtual court hearing, Causey left his office to use the communal restroom. His workspace showed clear signs he intended to return promptly - an unfinished email remained open on his computer screen, music played softly from his phone, and his wallet and car keys sat nearby.
When Causey failed to return after an extended period, his colleague and close friend Jake Blanchard grew concerned and began searching for him. Surveillance cameras verified Causey never exited the building, yet he was nowhere to be found inside. His vehicle remained in the parking lot.
External security footage revealed a suspicious gray Toyota Tundra arriving at 8:32 AM, two minutes before an unidentified gloved man entered carrying a large box and backpack. The same individual departed at 10:22 AM wearing different clothing and pulling a heavy cart covered with what appeared to be a red blanket. The man struggled to load this weighty item into the truck bed.
Law enforcement cameras later tracked this vehicle traveling toward Tarpon Springs, with images suggesting a human-shaped form under covering in the truck bed. The vehicle was eventually traced to a luxury home owned by Dr. Thomas Kazowski, a Tampa Bay plastic surgeon, though he had already fled by the time authorities made this connection.
Primary Scene Examination Results
When Jake Blanchard entered the shared bathroom while searching for Causey, he immediately noticed several concerning elements. What appeared to be blood stains marked the entrance door, with similar stains visible on the toilet stall wall and at the toilet base.
Blanchard was struck by an unusually strong smell of bleach and cleaning chemicals, suggesting targeted cleaning of specific areas rather than routine maintenance. His observations prompted an immediate call to police.
Forensic teams confirmed through rapid testing that the stains were indeed blood. Their investigation revealed evidence that a substantial amount of blood had been cleaned from the bathroom floor. Key findings included:
White fibers matching those found in Causey's car
A left index fingerprint on the utility room door
Signs of extensive cleanup efforts using bleach
The utility room location was particularly suspicious as it was an out-of-the-way area rarely accessed by building occupants or visitors. One week prior to Causey's disappearance, on March 14, another building employee reported seeing a man hiding behind this utility room door - suggesting possible premeditation and surveillance of the location.
Investigators theorize the perpetrator may have waited in this concealed position, watching for an opportunity to follow Causey into the bathroom, where the door could be locked without raising immediate concerns.
Background Details
Stephen Causey's Life and Career
Stephen Causey was a 41-year-old attorney who resided in Largo, Florida, a city within Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay Area. After earning his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University in 2016, he joined Blanchard Law as an associate attorney. His home was in Indian Rocks Beach, an area known for its vacation properties and surfing opportunities. During his employment at Blanchard Law, Causey established himself as a valuable team member and developed a close friendship with the managing partner, Jake Blanchard. By March 2023, Causey had been working at the firm for approximately seven years and was considered not just an employee but a best friend by Blanchard.
Blanchard Law Firm's Professional Focus
Blanchard Law operated from an office building in Largo, Florida, sharing the facility with other businesses. The firm specialized primarily in bankruptcy cases, working with professionals and local companies rather than handling criminal defense matters. Their expertise extended to various business disputes, including tax resolution and contract law issues. The office environment featured individual offices alongside common areas, including shared bathrooms and utility closets. The building's main entrance through the lobby doors was the only unsecured access point, with external surveillance cameras monitoring arrivals and departures. Unlike some legal practices, Blanchard Law's clientele consisted of ordinary businesses and professionals seeking assistance with financial and contractual matters rather than individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Examining the Case Developments
Video Surveillance Review
The examination of external security footage has yielded significant findings. The recordings show a gray Toyota Tundra arriving at the office building at 8:32 AM on the morning of Stephen's disappearance. Two minutes later, a gloved individual carrying a large box and wearing a backpack entered the building. Stephen arrived shortly after this person. The same individual was captured leaving approximately two hours later at 10:22 AM, wearing different clothing but carrying the same backpack. The person was struggling to pull a cart with a heavy load covered by what appeared to be a red blanket or bag.
Law enforcement cameras with license plate reading capabilities tracked the truck's journey from the law office toward Tarpon Springs. These cameras captured images suggesting a human-sized form wrapped in material in the truck bed. The vehicle eventually arrived at a luxury home belonging to Dr. Thomas Kazowski, a prominent Tampa Bay plastic surgeon. Investigators discovered the doctor had purchased the truck in October 2022 but had not registered it in his name, making it initially difficult to trace.
Physical Evidence Collection
Forensic teams discovered compelling material at the scene. Tests confirmed blood presence in the bathroom, with technicians determining a substantial amount had been cleaned from the floor. The strong scent of bleach and chemical cleaners in the bathroom suggested an attempt to sanitize specific areas. Visible stains were found on the entrance door, toilet stall wall, and at the base of the toilet.
White fibers matching those from Stephen's vehicle were recovered during the investigation. Despite Stephen's car remaining in the parking lot, his personal items—including his wallet, keys, and phone—were left at his desk. Fingerprint analysis revealed a left index finger impression on the utility room door, an area that would typically see minimal traffic from building occupants or visitors.
Statements from Observers
The building's occupants provided valuable information. Jake Blanchard, managing partner and close friend of Stephen, became concerned when Stephen didn't return from what appeared to be a quick bathroom break. Upon checking the communal bathroom, Jake noticed blood-like stains on the entrance door and detected an unusually strong bleach odor. He also observed areas where cleaning had been so intense it removed paint from the wall.
An employee from another business in the building reported seeing a man hiding behind the utility room door one week before Stephen's disappearance, specifically on March 14th. This suggests potential pre-planning and surveillance by the perpetrator, who may have been observing building occupants' routines. The location of the utility room—out of public view and rarely accessed—would have made it an ideal hiding spot for someone planning to intercept a specific target.
Potential Person of Interest
The Gray Toyota Pickup
A significant lead in this case emerged when investigators reviewed external surveillance footage from the office building. A gray Toyota Tundra arrived at 8:32 AM on that Tuesday morning. Two minutes later, a gloved individual carrying a large box and backpack entered the building. This occurred just before Stephen Causey arrived for work.
Two hours later, at 10:22 AM, the same person was captured on camera exiting the building. The individual had changed clothes but matched the same build and carried the same backpack. Most notably, this person was pulling a heavy cart covered with what appeared to be a red bag or blanket.
The surveillance footage shows the individual struggling to lift the cart's contents into the truck bed. Law enforcement cameras later captured images of the vehicle traveling toward Tarpon Springs, with what investigators described as a human-sized form visible in the truck bed covered by the same material.
Dr. Thomas Kazowski's Involvement
The gray Toyota Tundra was tracked to a luxury residence in Tarpon Springs belonging to Dr. Thomas Kazowski, a successful Tampa Bay plastic surgeon. Several key facts connect Dr. Kazowski to the case:
The truck had been purchased by Dr. Kazowski in October 2022
He had not registered the vehicle after purchase, making it difficult to trace
The seller had recorded the transaction with state officials
By the time investigators connected the vehicle to Dr. Kazowski and tracked its movement down the Florida coast, he had already fled the area. This suggests possible premeditation.
One week before Stephen's disappearance, an employee from another business in the building reported seeing a man hiding behind the utility room door. A left index fingerprint was later lifted from this utility room door - an area that would be of little interest to the general public or most building occupants.
This evidence suggests the perpetrator may have conducted reconnaissance of the building layout before Stephen's disappearance, potentially identifying the bathroom as an ideal location for an ambush.
Impact on Loved Ones
Stephen Causey's disappearance has devastated those closest to him. His managing partner at Blanchard Law, Jake Blanchard, considered Stephen not just an employee but his best friend after their five years working together. The uncertainty surrounding Stephen's fate has been particularly difficult for his friends and family to process.
"It's so hard because I don't know what's going to happen next," one family member expressed. Their fear is palpable, with deep concerns that the perpetrator might escape justice: "I'm terrified that he's going to get away with it or there's somebody else out there."
The emotional toll extends beyond just the unknown. Friends and family members find themselves struggling with the seemingly senseless nature of the crime, questioning why anyone would target someone like Stephen. As one person close to Stephen put it: "You just want answers and you just don't know why somebody would hurt somebody." This sentiment reflects the collective grief and confusion experienced by all who knew the well-respected lawyer.
