Unsolved Cases in Florida

Unsolved Cases In Florida

The Unsolved Cases in Florida website features unsolved homicide cases that have been submitted by local law enforcement agencies for placement on this website. By empowering citizens to provide tips, our goal is to arrest the criminals who committed these crimes. If you have any information about a case featured on this website, please contact the local law enforcement agency investigating the case.

Case submission is based on local law enforcement participation. This website may not identify or represent every unsolved case in the state of Florida.

A list of agencies and contact informationis provided for your convenience.

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Spear, Laralee

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Incident Date: 04-25-1994

Reporting Agency: Volusia County Sheriff's Office

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

Address: 1425 Deerfoot, Deland, FL

About this case:

On April 25th, 1994, 15-year-old DeLand High School student Laralee Spear was reported missing by her mother when she did not arrive home after school. She was last seen getting off her school bus. Her bus driver confirmed Laralee got off the bus at about 3:15PM that afternoon and was walking on Deerfoot Road, a rural dirt road, toward her home. About an hour later her mother reported her missing, the Sheriff’s Office helicopter located her lying on the ground next to an abandoned, burnt down house at the other end of Deerfoot Road. Laralee had been murdered and left not far from her home. Laralee was found lying on her right side, wearing a red t-shirt but with no clothes below the waist. Her shoes were still on. Her hands were bound in front of her with a small brown rope. She had gunshot wounds to the left side of her face, her head behind the left ear, the back of her neck, and her right hand. Four (4) shell casings were located around her body. North of her body were tire impressions in a figure 8 type pattern. Also located north of her was a bottle of skin lotion, a blue highlighter, and a pair of scissors. South of her body and the burned-out house were a red nylon backpack, eyeglasses, white female underwear, blue jean shorts.More about this case
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Backmann, Clifford Thomas

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 6960 Bonneval Rd 303 Jacksonville FL

Incident Date: 10-10-2009

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

Height: 6' 00"

Weight: 220

Address: J. Turner Butler BLVD and Phillips HWY, Jacksonville, FL

About this case:

Clifford Backmann, 56, was working alone finishing some construction on an office condominium at 6960 Bonneval Road near the intersection of Philips Highway and J. Turner Butler Boulevard on Saturday, October 10, 2009 when an unknown African American male robbed and shot him. He was able to call 911 and give some details before he died, but not enough to catch his killer.More about this case
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Rodriguez, Jose

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 6000 Block Of Lake Shore Dr GAINESVILLE FL

Incident Date: 05-29-1998

Reporting Agency: Alachua County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

Address: 319 NW 5TH ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32601

About this case:

Circumstances: On 05-29-98 JOSE RODRIGUEZ walked away from his residence at 319 NW 5th St., in an unknown direction. RODRIGUEZ was last seen at approximately 1730 hours, on NE 39th Avenue between NE 15th Street and Waldo Road, walking eastbound towards Waldo Road. At 2147 hours, on 05-29-98, RODRIGUEZ'S body was found in the shallow waters of Newnan's Lake at the 6000 block of Lake Shore Drive, Gainesville, FL. Investigation revealed RODRIGUEZ'S death was the result of a homicide. ACSO # 98-6996More about this case
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Ellinger, Wende

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 10207 SW 84Th Ave GAINESVILLE FL

Incident Date: 03-17-2015

Reporting Agency: Alachua County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

Address: 10207 SW 84Th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32608

About this case:

Incident Date: 03-18-05 Circumstances: On 03-18-05, at approximately midnight, the body of Wende Ellinger was found in a fire at her residence at 10207 SW 84 Ave, Gainesville (Kanapaha Highlands). Wende was last seen alive at approximately 10:30 PM, 03-17-05, in her residence. The investigation revealed that she sustained other injuries prior to the fire and it was ruled a homicide. Wende Ellinger was the mother of three small children who were not home at the time. ACSO Case # 05-3214More about this case
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Barnett, Burley Junior

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Incident Date: 09-20-1974

Reporting Agency: Alachua County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Incident Date: 09-20-74 ACSO # 74-45638 Circumstances: Found on 09-20-74 in his car at the southbound rest area on I-75. More about this case
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New, Betty Ann

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Incident Date: 09-06-1974

Reporting Agency: Alachua County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Incident Date: 09-06-74 ACSO # 74-44984 Circumstances: Found 09-06-74 in a field near Lake Burnett in Alachua County.More about this case
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Rains, Lenoris

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 2049 Hillsborough Ave TALLAHASSEE FL

Incident Date: 09-29-2009

Reporting Agency: Tallahassee Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

#09-2987 Lenoris Rains, 30 year old male, was located at 2049 Hillsborough Ave. with multiple gunshot wounds. Case Description: On September 30, 2009, Officers responded to 2049 Hillsborough Ave due to multiple shots fired. They located Mr. Rains with multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses stated that Mr. Rains and several males were playing cards when a late model Ford Crown Vic pulled up to the scene. It was reported that three black males jumped out of the vehicle and started shooting. Anyone having information about this case is encouraged to contact the Cold Case Unit at (850) 891-4462 or (850) 891-4565.More about this case
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Williams, Victor J

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 637 Preston St TALLAHASSEE FL

Incident Date: 09-16-2014

Reporting Agency: Tallahassee Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

September 16, 2014 Victor J. Williams, (05/29/65 - #14-26364), a 49 year old male was stabbed. Case Description: On September 16, 2014 at 4:40 a.m., officers responded to 637 Preston St. in reference to a stabbing. Mr. Williams wondered around seeking medical assistance. He was transported to the local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Prior to being stabbed Mr. Williams was heard arguing with another person. Anyone having information about this case is encouraged to contact the Cold Case Unit at (850) 891-4462 or (850) 891-4565.More about this case
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Miller, Cassandra

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 325 E 6Th St JACKSONVILLE FL

Incident Date: 09-12-1996

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

On 09/12/1996, the victim was found murdered in the residence located at 325 E 6th St, JacksonvilleMore about this case
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Gordon, Francis

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 2727 Waller St JACKSONVILLE FL

Incident Date: 09-30-1996

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

On 09/30/1996, the victim was found murdered next to the business located at 2727 Waller St, JacksonvilleMore about this case
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Bell, John

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 1442 Steel St JACKSONVILLE FL

Incident Date: 09-25-1998

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

On 09/25/1998, the victim was murdered at 1442 Steele ST, JacksonvilleMore about this case
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James Louis Wilson Sr

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: Baugh Street, Columbia County FL

Incident Date: 09-01-2006

Reporting Agency: Columbia County Sheriff's Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

On September 1, 2006, 62-year-old James Louis Wilson, Sr. was found shot at his residence off Baugh Street in Columbia County, Florida. Wilson was the victim of an apparent home invasion robbery.More about this case
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Welch, James

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 2900 Burke St FL

Incident Date: 09-18-1999

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

On 09-18-99, the victim was found murdered at 2900 Burke Street.More about this case
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Martin, Elizabeth

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 200 Starcrest Dr BLDG 5APT 17 CLEARWATER FL

Incident Date: 09-29-1981

Reporting Agency: Clearwater Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

White female, 75 years of age Case#: 81-09-4510 Date Found: 9/29/81 Location: 200 Starcrest Drive, "Starcrest Village Apartments", Bldg. 5, Apt. 17, Clearwater, FL Elizabeth Martin was found dead in her apartment from blunt force trauma.More about this case
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Smith, Daniel

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 1740 Walnut St FL

Incident Date: 09-22-2001

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

On 09-22-2001,the victim was killed on the front porch of a rooming house located at 1740 Walnut Street.More about this case
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Carter, Tracy

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 8649 Mcglothlin St JACKSONVILLE FL

Incident Date: 09-27-1995

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

Address: 8649 Mcglothlin St, Jacksonville, FL 32210

About this case:

On 09/27/1995, the victim was killed in his residence at 8649 McGlothlin StMore about this case
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Burch, Carla

Case Information:

Incident Date: 09-27-2003

Reporting Agency: FDLE - Tallahassee

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

On September 27, 2003, Carla Burch's remains were found in a wooded area near High Bridge Road southwest of Midway, in Gadsden County. Burch was last seen approximately two weeks prior and was known to frequent the Frenchtown area of Tallahassee.More about this case
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Thomas, Dorothy

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 633 W Tennessee St TALLAHASSEE FL

Incident Date: 09-06-1957

Reporting Agency: Tallahassee Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Dorothy Thomas, a 27 year-old female, was an employee of Nu Way Cleaners at 633 W. Tennessee St. She was found murdered in the bathroom of the business. Case Description: Between the hours of 9 and 10 a.m. on September 6, 1957 a deliveryman discovered the body of Mrs. Thomas in the bathroom of the business in which she worked. Mrs. Thomas was the lone employee at work and evidence suggests a customer had been in the business just prior to her death. Mrs. Thomas was apparently dragged from the front area of the business to the bathroom where she was stabbed multiple times resulting in her death. Evidence obtained on scene and during the subsequent investigation focused on a particular suspect. This individual remains the primary suspect and is currently living in another state.More about this case
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Lucas, Barbara Jean

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 4th Street North, North of I-275 in Tampa Bay St. Petersburg FL

Incident Date: 09-20-1978

Reporting Agency: Pinellas County SO

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Name : BARBARA JEAN LUCAS Location: 4th Street North, North of I-275 in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Fl On 9/20/1978, the victim was found dead in Tampa Bay three days after the arson at Cherry's Tap Room in St. Petersburg. The victim may have been murdered because of her willingness to talk to investigators about the arson. Case : 78-55317More about this case
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Debinder, Dawn Dorene

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: North Gandy Beach, Gandy Blvd. ST PETERSBURG FL

Incident Date: 09-15-1992

Reporting Agency: Pinellas County SO

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Name : DAWN DORENE DEBINDER Location : North Gandy Beach, Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg, Fl On 9/17/1992, Debinder was found murdered at approximately 02:15 PM on September 17, 1992 in the water off the North Gandy Beach on Gandy Blvd. Her nude body was found placed inside a broken piece of cement drainage pipe at the water's edge. She frequented the areas of 4th St N and 9th St N in St. Petersburg. She was last seen alive on September 15, 1992 at approximately 05:00 PM. Case : 92-160912More about this case
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Ellis, Kyle

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 8191 46Th Ave N ST PETERSBURG FL

Incident Date: 09-06-2008

Reporting Agency: Pinellas County SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

Victims: KYLE ELLIS and CABRETTI WHEELER On 09/6/2008 Location of Last Seen : 8191 46th Ave North, St. Petersburg, Fl “DAT’S RIGHT AUDIO” Synopsis : On September 6, 2008 at approximately 0100 hours, armed subjects entered the "Dat’s Right Audio" store while both Cabretti Wheeler and Kyle Ellis were inside the business. Upon entering the business the suspects shot both Ellis and Wheeler numerous times. Both Ellis and Wheeler died on scene. One suspect has been indicted for their murder, however at least one other suspect remains at large. The suspect charged is identified as, Jerry Tyrone Jones, B/M 02/28/89. Case : 08-237475More about this case
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Foster, Gail

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: Old Pasco Road/Sunny Drive Wesley Chapel FL

Incident Date: 09-22-1977

Reporting Agency: Pasco County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

Address: Hillsborough Av, Tampa, FL 33603

About this case:

On 9/27/1977 Gail Foster (19 yoa at the time of death) was discovered in a vacant lot in Zephyrhills Florida. Her death was a result from homicidal violence. Authorities believe the murder was associated with other homicides that occurred during this time frame.More about this case
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Bobrick, Beverly B

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Address: 7811 Red Run Dr Port Richey FL

Incident Date: 09-10-2005

Reporting Agency: Pasco County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

Address: 7811 Red Run Dr, Port Richey, FL 34668

About this case:

Beverly Bobrick was last seen by friends she had dinner with at Chili's on 9/10/2005 at 8:30 p.m. On 09/11/2005 at 2:20 p.m., Beverly's body was found in her residence in Port Richey Florida after a neighbor discovered the back door to her home was open. There were indications the residence had been burglarized and Ms. Bobrick died from an attack.More about this case
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Garza, John Grinie JR

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Address: 37627 Lock St Dade City FL

Incident Date: 09-21-2006

Reporting Agency: Pasco County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

Address: Tait Av, Dade City, FL 33525

About this case:

On 9/21/2006 John Grinie Garza was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot of Twistee Treat Ice Cream in Dade City Florida. During this time the victim sustained heavy trauma to his body. Victim was transported to a local medical facility where he died on 12/22/2007.More about this case
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Johns, Lee Martin

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Address: 18145 State Road 52 Land O Lakes FL

Incident Date: 09-14-2007

Reporting Agency: Pasco County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

Address: 18145 State Road 52, Land O Lakes, FL 34639

About this case:

On 9/14/2007 Lee Martin Johns was found murdered in his place of business/residence which was a commercial scrap yard in Land O’Lakes Florida. Victim was well known to the area community. He always conducted his business in cash.More about this case

Name	Contact Name	Contact Email	Contact Phone Number
Alachua County Sheriffs Office	Hand, Todd	thand@alachuasheriff.org	(352) 367-4164
Clearwater Police Department	Downes, Timothy	Timothy.Downes@MyClearwater.com	(727) 562-4383
Cocoa Police Department	Martinez, Yvonne	ymartinez@cocoapolice.com	(321) 637-6309
Columbia County Sheriff's Office	CSO, Columbia	yvette.tyler@columbiasheriff.org	(386) 758-1095
FDLE - Tallahassee	Schroeder, Jessica	christelgoddard@fdle.state.fl.us	(850) 410-7569