Arizona Man’s Job Hunt Ends Tragically Just Two Weeks After Moving to Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The family of Julian Magaña is grappling with profound loss as they seek answers following his untimely death in Jacksonville. The 22-year-old, who recently relocated from Arizona, was discovered unresponsive in his Southside apartment on November 24, 2024, just two weeks after moving into the Hawthorne Apartments.

Despite prompt emergency response, Julian was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. His mother, Josephine Rodriguez, received the devastating news from a detective, initiating a harrowing journey towards understanding his death.

As the holiday season unfolds, this Christmas marks the first without Julian. Anthony Rodriguez, Julian’s uncle, expressed the void felt by the family. “There’s nothing under my tree today. There’s nothing,” he lamented. Julian, trained as a lab technician and phlebotomist, was actively seeking employment in the area, making his sudden demise all the more shocking.

Concerns escalated for the family after noticing bruising on Julian’s body upon its return to Arizona. Josephine recounted, “When I saw him, his nose was caved in. His face was all swollen.” These alarming signs have prompted the family to question the circumstances surrounding his death. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office homicide unit classified the case as a homicide, yet no suspects have been identified.

With a month passing since the tragedy, the family continues to appeal for information regarding Julian’s death. “We want his story told,” stated Helen Odumbe, a friend of Julian, emphasizing the need to raise awareness. “This should not happen to good people. He was a good person.” The family also awaits the autopsy results from the medical examiner’s office, hoping they may shed light on the situation.

As the investigation continues, First Coast News has sought updates from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, with officials confirming that inquiries are ongoing.