DeSantis posthumously awards Governor's Medal of Freedom to Jimmy Buffett, politicians: 'Great Floridians'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has posthumously awarded five Floridians, including singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and former Republican and Democratic politicians, with the Governor’s Medal of Freedom.

"I'm proud to recognize the legacies of these great Floridians," DeSantis said in a statement.

"Our state is better for their contributions, and we’re proud they called Florida home," he continued. "They have each earned the honor of being awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom."

The governor awarded one of the state’s highest honors to Buffett, former GOP U.S. Rep. and state congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, former Democratic governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, former Democratic governor and U.S. Rep. Buddy MacKay, and former Republican Florida House Speaker John Thrasher.

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Buffett, who died in 2023 at the age of 76, was a legendary music icon who rose to fame in the 1970s and was best known for hits like "Margaritaville" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise."

On top of his musical pursuits, Buffett was involved in business as well, launching restaurants, resorts and merchandise under the "Margaritaville" brand, including opening his first Margaritaville store in Key West in 1985 and opening a Margaritaville Café nearby just two years later.

"His legacy continues to influence music and culture in Florida’s coastal communities," a release from the governor's office said.

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Diaz-Balart, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 70, was a Cuban-American who was exiled from his home country following the communist revolution. He was a strong advocate against communism and oppression, and pushed hard for a free Cuba during his time in office, which included working in Florida's House and Senate before serving in the U.S. House.

Graham, who died last year at the age of 87, served in both chambers of the Florida legislature before serving as governor and U.S. senator.

"A Democrat, Graham was widely respected for his work on education, environmental conservation, and national security," the release from the governor's office said.

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MacKay, who was the state's last Democratic governor, died last year at the age of 91. His public service also included serving in both chambers of the state legislature and the U.S. House, as well as being the Sunshine State's lieutenant governor and later the U.S. Special Envoy for the Americas under the Clinton administration.

Thrasher died earlier this year at the age of 81 after serving as Florida State University's president, chair of the Republican Party of Florida and in both chambers of the state legislature. He also served in the Army during the Vietnam War.

Fox News Digital reached out to the governor's office for additional comment.

California woman found dead in national forest, husband seen dragging something in large tarp

A California woman was found dead in a national forest just a day after her husband was captured on video dragging something large wrapped in what appeared to be a tarp or sheet away from his home.

The body of Sheylla Cabrera, 33, was found on Aug. 13 in Angeles National Forest wrapped in a tarp or sheet similar to the one her husband, 36-year-old Jossimar Cabrera, was seen pulling the day before on Ring camera footage, according to KTTV and KTLA.

Search and rescue teams from the Montrose Mountain Search and Rescue team reported finding something suspicious in the Angeles National Forest that matched the material seen in the Ring video, the outlets reported.

MAN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MURDER AFTER WOMAN’S BODY FOUND AT REMOTE CALIFORNIA CAMPSITE

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and confirmed that Mrs. Cabrera’s body was wrapped inside the material, according to the reports.

Mr. Cabrera was immediately identified as a person of interest in the investigation. The couple’s three children were also reported as missing.

MOTHER'S STORY QUESTIONED BY AUTHORITIES AS 7-MONTH-OLD REMAINS MISSING AFTER ALLEGED KIDNAPPING

He fled to Peru before the discovery of his wife's body, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is currently working with local authorities to extradite him to California.

Officials are expected to charge him with murder if he is sent back to California.

The three children were also found safe in Peru and taken into protective custody.

Mrs. Cabrera’s cause of death is being evaluated by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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