Unsolved Cases

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Shaw, Luther Tyrone

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Address: S Safford Ave & E Harrison St Tarpon Springs FL

Incident Date: 07-31-2012

Reporting Agency: Tarpon Springs Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

Height: 5' 08"

Weight: 180

About this case:

On July 31, 2012 at 6:39 a.m., officers discovered Luther Shaw deceased from gunshot wounds in the roadway of South Safford Avenue, near East Harrison Street. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and there are no suspects at this point in the investigation. More about this case

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Doe, John

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Address: 44000 Highway 19 Tarpon Springs FL

Incident Date: 01-12-2005

Reporting Agency: Tarpon Springs Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

Height: 6' 03"

About this case:

The Tarpon Springs Police Department is attempting to identify the remains of a man discovered on January 12, 2005. The pictured composite was created from skeletal remains that were discovered in a wooded area in the of the 44000 block of US Highway 19 in Tarpon Springs. The victim died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. His physical description is: W/M, approximately 40-55 years of age, 5’08”-6’03” with possible salt and pepper colored hair. The following clothing was discovered on the victim: denim pants (size 38x34) with a white rope around the waist that was being utilized as a belt, colored medium sized button down shirt, size 10.5 Cross Trekker sneakers, and a dark colored knit type watch cap. More about this case

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Ford, Ronald P Jr

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Address: 632 Bayshore Dr Tarpon Springs FL

Incident Date: 10-22-2002

Reporting Agency: Tarpon Springs Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

Height: 6' 02"

Weight: 160

Address: Unknown, Aliquippa, PA 15001

About this case:

The victim was found shot to death in a silver, 1990 Honda CRX at approximately 1400 hours, on October 22, 2002 at 632 Bayshore Drive, Tarpon Springs. Ford was from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania in vehicle belonged to an acquaintance, who resided in the East Lake area of Palm Harbor, Florida. The victim was in Florida only two days prior to being murdered and he was seen driving around the Fred Howard Park area of Tarpon Springs a few hours prior to his death. More about this case

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Kesse, Jennifer Joyce

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Reporting Agency: FDLE - Melbourne

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

Height: 5' 7"

Weight: 130

Address: 3735 Conroy Rd, Orlando, FL 32839

About this case:

On January 24, 2006, Jennifer Kesse was reported missing to the Orlando Police Department. Jennifer did not report to work that day, and did not answer or return calls from family or friends. The vehicle owned by Jennifer Kesse was located on January 26, 2006, in a nearby apartment complex. To date, Jennifer Kesse had not been located and authorities believe her disappearance occurred under suspicious circumstances. In November of 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement assumed the lead investigative role over Jennifer’s case (OR-01-0100). More about this case

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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 # 98-6996 More 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 # 05-3214 More about this case

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Brotherton, Mark

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: Interstate 10 and Highway 441 North Lake City FL

Incident Date: 07-30-1971

Reporting Agency: Columbia County Sheriff's Office

Subject Information:

Gender: UNKNOWN

Race: UNKNOWN

About this case:

On July 30th, 1971 a homicide occurred at the Standard Oil Service Station in Lake City, Fl. at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Highway 441 North. According to reports, two black males came to the station in the early morning hours, roughly around 2:00 am. The two men stole money from the cash register located outside the store and then placed the store clerk and a customer in an office area. One of the suspects shot each of the victims in their legs. The Station attendant, Mark Brotherton, died at the scene. The customer survived his injuries. The customer stated he had broken down on the interstate that night. He was towed to the gas station by “two long haired boys driving a Volkswagen van.” It was possibly cream colored with black curtains and a Budweiser label in the back window. The two men who towed the customer, who are not suspects, stated they were going to “LA" per the report, which could be Louisiana or Los Angeles. They told the customer they planned to stop in Panama City. The two men stayed for a few minutes and the suspects arrived around that time. The suspects did not take any actions until the men in the van left. More about this case

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Dusek, Edwin

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Incident Date: 07-03-1973

Reporting Agency: Alachua County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Incident Date: 07-03-73 ACSO # 73-27711 Circumstances: Found 07-06-73 on a dirt road off Millhopper Road. More about this case

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Muno, Sonnyrey Armendariz

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 1525 W Tennessee St TALLAHASSEE FL

Incident Date: 07-12-2001

Reporting Agency: Tallahassee Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

July 12, 2001 Sonnyrey Armendariz Munoz., 35 year old Hispanic male, was found murdered at the Lafayette Motel, located at 1525 W. Tennessee St. inside of one of the rooms. Case Description: On July 12, 2001 a cleaning person discovered the body of Sonnyrey Munoz in one of the rooms of the Lafayette Motel. Munoz had recently been released from the Leon County Detention Center and was in the process of getting his job back in order. Munoz had contact with friends on the previous evening before the discovery of his body. A canvas of the area revealed limited information and there were no reports of illegal activity in the immediate area during the time frame in question. Anyone having information about this case is encouraged to contact the Major Case Assessment Team at (850) 891-4462 or (850) 891-4745. More about this case

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Branner, James Edwin

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 745 N Monroe St TALLAHASSEE FL

Incident Date: 07-02-1996

Reporting Agency: Tallahassee Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

July 02, 1996 James Edwin Branner was found deceased in a motel room at the Prince Murat Motel located at 745 N. Monroe St. on July 02, 1996. Case Description: On July 02, 1996 James Branner was found deceased in a room of the Prince Murat Motel. Branner's death was ruled a homicide based on evidence found at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing the victim with a white male with long brown hair on the day prior to the discovery. This person has yet to be identified. Branner was released from the jail a short time prior to his death and his known acquaintances had been interviewed at the time of the initial report. Anyone having information about this case is asked to contact the Major Case Assessment Team of the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4462 or (850) 891-4745. More about this case

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Jackson, Lisa

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 11000 Alta Dr Jacksonville FL

Incident Date: 07-03-1997

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

oN 07/03/1997, the victim was discovered murdered in a body of water at 11000 Alta DR, Jacksonville More about this case

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Raulerson, Linda

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: Hwy 441 and I-10 FL

Incident Date: 07-22-2008

Reporting Agency: Columbia County Sheriff's Office

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

Address: Hwy 441 and I-10, FL

About this case:

On July 22, 2008, Linda Raulerson was shot and killed during a robbery of the Joy Food convenient store located at Hwy 441 and I-10 in Columbia County, Florida. The suspect is a black male, medium build, approximately 5’10” to 6’1” and was driving a 1993-1995 white Buick Regal. More about this case

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Sears, William H.

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: Downing St, west of Bayshore Dr, Clearwater, FL CLEARWATER FL

Incident Date: 07-20-1989

Reporting Agency: Clearwater Police Department

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

Black male, 46 years of age Case#: 89-02450 Date Found: July 20, 1989 Location: Downing Street, just west of Bayshore Drive, Clearwater, FL William Sears was found dead in the trunk of his car. It is unknown why the car was parked on Downing St.. Sears was known to associate with topless dancers and may have been involved in the drug trade. More about this case

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Hardy, Robert

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 1245 W Beaver St FL

Incident Date: 07-01-2001

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

About this case:

On 07-01-2001,the victim was killed while standing in front of the After Eleven Club (1245 W. Beaver Street). More about this case

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Snowden, Belinda Mazel

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Incident Date: 07-26-1986

Reporting Agency: FDLE - Tallahassee

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

On Saturday, July 26, 1986, the body of 15-year-old Belinda Snowden was discovered in a rural area off Hwy 59 near Wacissa in Jefferson County, Florida. She was last seen alive between 1 and 2 a.m. the same day in the area of the Jr. Food Store located at 4345 Bloxham Cutoff, Crawfordville, Florida (Wakulla Station). She was wearing a pink shirt and jeans when she disappeared. Ms. Snowden was from Jackson County but had been staying in Wakulla County with relatives who lived near the store. More about this case

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Douglas, Annette

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 1728 N Myrtle Ave JACKSONVILLE FL

Incident Date: 07-10-1995

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

Address: 1728 N Myrtle Ave, JACKSONVILLE, FL

About this case:

On 07/10/1995, the victim was located at 1728 N Myrtle Ave on the porch. More about this case

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Moody, Robert

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 1400 Block Of Payne Ave JACKSONVILLE FL

Incident Date: 07-29-1995

Reporting Agency: Jacksonville SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN

Address: 1400 Block Of Payne Ave, JACKSONVILLE, FL

About this case:

On 07/29/1995, the victim was killed in the 1400 block of Payne Ave More about this case

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Poe, Andrew Jackson

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: Lake South of 6350 49th Avenue North ST PETERSBURG FL

Incident Date: 07-30-1974

Reporting Agency: Pinellas County SO

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Name: ANDREW JACKSON POE Location: Lake South of 6350 49th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Fl The victim was a cab driver who was reported missing on 07-27-1974 to the Clearwater Police. On 07/30/1974 the victim's body was found in the trunk of his cab that was submerged in the lake. There are no suspects. Case : 74-26520 More about this case

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Kurtz, Ginette Caron

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 113 145Th Ave 5 MADEIRA BEACH FL

Incident Date: 07-26-1983

Reporting Agency: Pinellas County SO

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Name: GINETTE CARON KURTZ Location: 113 145TH Avenue, Apt. 5, Madeira Beach, Fl On 07/26/1983, the victim was found murdered in her apartment. This case was received from the Madeira Case : 83-78404 More about this case

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Schweitzer, Kyle

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Incident Date: 07-14-2010

Reporting Agency: Manatee County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

MSO Case# 2011-034220 On July 14, 2010 Kyle Schweitzer was in his brothers residence with two females. His brother and another individual, Arris Chandler, were outside with a pit bull dog. A black male approached the residence and shot the pit bull. The suspect then attempted to enter the residence and Kyle was shot during this confrontation. At least two other suspects were with the armed suspect. His brother had been selling marijuana from the residence and had an argument with Arris Chandler a few weeks before. Chandler showed up shortly before the shooting. Chandler has denied involvement. More about this case

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Guyton, Arlene F.

Case Information:

Case Type: Homicide

Address: 500 129Th Ave MADEIRA BEACH FL

Incident Date: 07-17-1997

Reporting Agency: Pinellas County SO

Subject Information:

Gender: FEMALE

Race: WHITE

About this case:

Name : ARLENE F. GUYTON Location : 500 129th Avenue, Madeira Beach, Fl On 17/1997, Guyton was found murdered at approximately 09:15 AM on the morning of July 17, 1997 in her apartment. She lived alone and robbery appears to be the motive for the attack. Two white male suspects believed to be in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties were seen around the apartment at approximately 03:00 AM on July 17, 1997. Both suspects had what appeared to be shoulder length dark hair and were approximately 6 feet tall. Case : 97-158907 More about this case

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Williams, Earl Victor

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Address: 33 Hamlin Trce Zephyrhills FL

Incident Date: 07-15-1988

Reporting Agency: Pasco County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

Height: 5' 10"

Weight: 150

Address: 616 N 7Th St, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

About this case:

On 7/15/1988 Earl Williams was dropped off by an unknown person off Tupper Road in Zephyrhills Florida next to a residence. Earl made it to the residence knocked on the door where he was found covered in blood with his throat cut. Earl was unable to speak and later died at the hospital. More about this case

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Doe 1990, John

Case Information:

Case Type: Cold Case

Address: Smith Road Wesley Chapel FL

Incident Date: 07-16-1990

Reporting Agency: Pasco County Sheriffs Office

Subject Information:

Gender: MALE

Race: WHITE

Height: 5' 09"

About this case:

On 7/16/1990, the body of an unknown white male between 45 and 60 years of age, 5’8” tall, was located on Smith Road, 1/4 mile south of CR 54 in Wesley Chapel, Florida. The decedent was a victim of homicidal violence. The decedent was wearing blue "American Eagle" pants 36Wx32L underneath light colored "Britannia" corduroy pants, black suspenders with red stripes, red stocking cap with white stripe, black 8 ½ EE shoes, and a peace sign ring with turquoise inlay. Several plastic and metal buttons indicate the decedent may have worn a button up shirt and/or jacket. The decedent's remains were found near a red and black reversible sleeping bag. It should be noted that the subject appears to be transient and the clothing/shoes may have been second hand. 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 - Melbourne	Mynheir, Mark	MarkMynheir@fdle.state.fl.us	(321) 752-3107

Unsolved Cases In Florida