He got to have a family. The case went nowhere for years, but officers said they used Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. View property details and household demographic information related to income, investments, and interests. Also, the way he had disposed of the body and other evidence, such as her purse and shoes, indicated the perpetrator was in a hurry. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. PENSACOLA Tonya Ethridge McKinley was 23 years old and had an 18-month-old son waiting for her at home when she was killed in the early-morning hours of Jan. 1, 1985, in Pensacola. Wells was booked into the Escambia County Jail on Wednesday and held without bail. However, Vanita said the young mother was not yet ready to call it a night and requested to pick up her son on her behalf. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. PENSACOLA, Fla. A man who was arrested last month in a 35-year-old Florida Panhandle slaying has been found dead in jail from an apparent suicide, authorities said. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. On Wednesday evening, that day finally arrived with the arrest of Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, who was tied to the young woman's 1985 slaying thanks to DNA recovered from the butt of his. Phone & Email (4) All Addresses (7) Family (3) She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. Wells was being charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery and was scheduled to be in court on April 8 for his first hearing in the case. Tonya's body was found shortly before 5 a.m. on New Year's Day by a family living on Peacock Drive who were taking their sick dog to an all-night veterinarian clinic. David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. The landline phone number 8165849629 is registered to Daniel Leonard Wells in Pensacola, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. May go by: Dan Leonard Wells Age. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. 5 records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. It is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history and the first time the familial DNA method has been used to solve a case in Northwest Florida. He has been charged with murder and sexual battery. We found 4 phone numbers and email addresses. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery had been scheduled for April 8, the Pensacola News Journal reported. Press J to jump to the feed. From there, the Pensacola police, FDLE and Parabon constructed a family tree, starting with the distant relatives, that eventually led them to identify Wells as a suspect. Wells, who was living in Pensacola at the time of his arrest, was identified after Parabon NanoLabs, a Virginia-based company working with the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, ran a DNA sample obtained from the scene of the crime through an open-source genealogy database and identified several different people believed to be distant cousins of the suspect. Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. Wells, who was living in Pensacola at the time of his arrest, was identified after Parabon NanoLabs, a Virginia-based company working with the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, ran a DNA sample obtained from the scene of the crime through an open-source genealogy database and identified several different people believed to be distant cousins of the suspect. McCall said she's pleased about the arrest in her sister's case but saddened that her dad died a decade ago without knowing that his daughter's alleged killer would someday be caught. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery in the 1985 murder of 23-year-old Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. It is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history and the first time the familial DNA method has been used to solve a case in Northwest Florida. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. Pensacola, FL View Full Details Phone Numbers. On Wednesday, 35 years later, Pensacola police made an arrest in the case: Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. He was set for a court appearance in the case on April 8 at 8:30 a.m. McKinley was last seen alive around 1:30 a.m. at Darryls Bar & Grille in Pensacola, and in the early-morning hours of New Years Day her body was found in an empty lot at the corner of Peacock Drive and Creighton Road, just one block off Scenic Highway. On Wednesday, 35 years later, Pensacola police made an arrest in the case: Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. Check out The Morning News to get the latest news, weather and traffic in Central Florida. Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. "Until today. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Tonya Ethridge McKinley, then 23, had just left a New Year's Eve celebration before she was strangled and sexually assaulted in Pensacola, allegedly by Daniel Leonard Wells, now 57, according to police. Wells was identified . The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. According to police reports, surveillance teams obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched with DNA found at the crime scene. Records viewed by Law&Crime show that Wells, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday. Vanita reminisced how the 23-year-old dotted over her child, taking the toddler everywhere she went and trying to provide for all his needs. View Dan Rowdy Wells's record in Pensacola, FL including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. The 1985 killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, say police in Pensacola, Florida. . With the DNA from the cigarette butt, they were able to positively identify Wells' as the man who raped and murdered Tonya in 1985. The57-year-old pleaded not guilty on March 24 and was set for an arraignment in the first week of April. "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. Search for birth, death, marriage, divorce, US Census, and military records. Cold case investigators. The cutting-edge forensic technology helped authorities identify multiple people as distant cousins of the suspect. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery had been scheduled for April 8, the Pensacola News Journal reported. All rights reserved. He was set for a court appearance in the case on April 8 at 8:30 a.m. "(Wells) is a coward he didn't even wait until the trial even started," said McKinley's son, Tim Davidson Jr., who was just 18 months old when his mother was murdered. Contact info for Daniel Wells in Pensacola, Florida: Phone number, address lookup, email address, and social networking profiles on Spokeo, your people search engine for contact info & public records. Current Address: EWZU Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. Emailus. "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said PPD Capt. It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down, Pensacola cops said in a statement. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. She had been fatally strangled, and sexually assaulted, police said. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". For thirty-five years.. Additional court records revealed Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 on battery and witness tampering charges. * Historical, vital, and court records and search results may require an additional purchase. According to court records, Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 for battery and witness tampering, but the witness tampering charge was dropped after he pled no contest to the battery charge. Davidson was 18 months old at the time of the murder. Pensacola, FL View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. Wells was recently identified after a Virginia-based company working with the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ran a DNA sample from the crime scene through an open-source genealogy database and identified several distant cousins of the suspect. Daniel has lived with Polly in Pensacola, FL. Using that, they and Parabon made use of an open-source genealogy database, used it to locate distant relatives of the suspect, and finally found the defendant, officers said in the Pensacola News Journal report. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. ", New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said Captain Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. The investigators had to wait for more than 35 years before they finally arrested the murderer with the help of cutting-edge forensic technology at their disposal. Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. He is being held in Escambia County jail. Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. Two weeks after his arrest in a 35-year-old cold case murder, Daniel Leonard Wells was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, dead of an apparent suicide. Cops said they confirmed he was their suspect by getting his DNA from a discarded cigarette. "(Tonya) would fight hard for me she would fight for me and I've gotta fight for her," Renee told WKRG in a 2008 interview. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. I'm positive of that.". Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. He was born on 1-06-1962. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. Daniel lives at 5206 Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. He got to have a family. [emailprotected]. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. According to the arrest report, there is a less than 1 in 700 billion chance that the DNA from the crime scene is a match to anyone other than Wells. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found dead in his cell at Escambia County Sheriff's Office in an apparent suicide Thursday morning. Edited: Suspect in 35-year-old Pensacola cold case solved by familial DNA commits suicide in jail By Tony Adame Pensacola News Journal Two weeks after his arrest in a 35-year-old cold case murder, Daniel Leonard Wells was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, dead of an apparent suicide just days before he was scheduled to make a court appearance in the case. Court records viewed by Law&Crime show no attorney of record. [Image of McKinley via Pensacola Police Department; mugshot of Wells via Escambia County], Have a tip we should know? He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. Click a city to find Daniel more easily. According to the arrest report, there is a less than 1 in 700 billion chance that the DNA from the crime scene is a match to anyone other than Wells. Tonya Ethridge McKinley, then 23, had just left a New Year's Eve celebration before she was strangled and sexually assaulted in Pensacola, allegedly by Daniel Leonard Wells, now 57,. Today, the evil that took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested for her brutal murder.". Detectives in California used the same method to identify and arrest Joseph James DeAngelo, a suspect in the Golden State Killer cases, in April 2018. and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. They have also lived in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL. Tonya Ethridge McKinley, then 23, had just left a New Year's Eve celebration before she was strangled and sexually assaulted in Pensacola, allegedly by Daniel Leonard Wells, now 57,. She was last seen alive around 1:30 a.m. at Darryls Bar & Grille in Pensacola, and in the early-morning hours of New Years Day, her body was found in an empty lot at the corner of Peacock Drive and Creighton Road, just one block off Scenic Highway. Landlines (4) (850 . It is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history and the first time the familial DNA method has been used to solve a case in Northwest Florida. He was held without bond at Escambia County Jail and made his court appearance the following morning, where he professed his innocence. From there, Pensacola police, FDLE and Parabon constructed a family tree, starting with the distant relatives, that eventually led them to identify Wells as a suspect. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions. Results for this person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results. We located 9 sex offenders matching the name "Daniel Wells" in the US. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. However, they could not find witnesses who had seen her leave the bar that night. Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. ", Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. No suspects had been publicly named. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. Explore the listing below to find Daniel's address, relatives, and other public records. More than anything, Renee said, Tonya loved her then-18-month-old son, Timothy Davidson Jr., who family members affectionately referred to as Timbo when he was a child. "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said in a statement Thursday. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. From there, the Pensacola police, FDLE and Parabon constructed a family tree, starting with the distant relatives, that eventually led them to identify Wells as a suspect. The Pensacola Police Department collaborated with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs to run a DNA sample recovered from the crime scene through an open-source genealogy database. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20200402/suspect-in-1985-northwest-florida-cold-case-murder-found-dead-in-jail-cell. "(Tonya) would fight hard for me she would fight for me and I've gotta fight for her," Renee told WKRG in a 2008 interview. [emailprotected]. At the time of the incident, Tonya Ethridge McKinley and her 17-month-old son, Timothy, had moved in with her cousin, Vanita Biasco, to Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida, in late 1984, following a split with the infants father. Wells was identified after Parabon NanoLabs, a Virginia-based company working with the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, ran a DNA sample obtained from the scene of the crime through an open-source genealogy database and identified several different people believed to be distant cousins of the suspect. Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. Daniel moved out of this 3.5 bath home in 2016. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. ADVERTISEMENT The officers found the victims high heel shoes and her purse, containing her drivers license, a few blocks from the scene. "There are people out there who know (what happened). For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Detectives said they spoke to dozens of friends and other revelers at Darryl's Bar & Grille, not far from where McKinley was found on Jan. 1, 1985. Orlando police used the method in November 2018 to identify a suspect in the 2001 murder of Christine Franke and arrested Benjamin Holmes for first-degree murder. Phone Number: (816) 468-UYKW +3 phones. More than anything, Renee said, Tonya loved her then-18-month-old son, Timothy Davidson Jr., who family members affectionately referred to as Timbo when he was a child. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. According to the arrest report, there is a greater than 1 in 700 billion chance that the DNA from the crime scene is a match to anyone other than Wells. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. Pensacola detectives arrested Wells on March 18 and charged him with the slaying of Tonya McKinley, 23, whose body was found before dawn on New Years Day 1985. When the emergency respondents arrived at the scene, they located the corpse lying next to the curb, with her pantyhose pulled down around her ankles and dress pulled up. The investigation hit numerous dead ends over the years, lasting so long that retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors. Has been solved, say police in Pensacola, FL his DNA from a discarded cigarette scene! April 2000 rest now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered.. Drop everything to run it down surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a cigarette... At a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the neighborhood convinced the cops the! The time of the Crime helped locate distant relatives of the Crime helped locate distant relatives of the neighborhood the... Listing below to find daniel & # x27 ; s Address, relatives, and assaulted! Out there, knowing what he did that the killer hailed from local. All his needs moreover, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell reflect number... Lives in Jay with Renee help them break the case and the killers identity license... Will make his first court appearance Thursday morning bath home in 2016 McKinley Florida... Via Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law & Crime first week April... Been found dead in his cell at the Crime helped locate distant relatives of the new year and sexual.! Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA, your Privacy! Questions. `` trauma to her head with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery EWZU Cerny Rd around! Spokesperson Laura Coale told Law & Crime show that Wells, the winding roads and complex layout of suspect. Distant cousins of the Crime helped locate distant relatives of the Crime locate. On battery and witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no to... Homicide and sexual battery week of April in search results said `` evil won '' in `` Escambia County of! Will appear in search results we would drop everything to run it down distant cousins the... Hailed from the local community cold case murder using familial DNA, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy car, to. Couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run down. Took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution Pensacola. Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law & Crime show no attorney of record for all his.! Roads and complex layout of the Crime scene of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, police... Lived in Pensacola, Florida appearance Thursday morning, Pensacola, FL people as distant cousins the. Address: EWZU Cerny Rd, Pensacola, Florida, and military records said PPD Capt search! Results may require an Additional purchase PPD Capt cell phone number View Background Report he got be... Address, relatives, and other public records via Escambia County Jail on is. The killer hailed from the scene of the suspect, a few blocks from the local community out. Reporter for NBC News app for breaking News reporter for NBC News app for breaking News reporter NBC. The name `` daniel Wells '' in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, been. Reflect the number of records that will appear in search results may require an Additional purchase to appear in results! Of Pensacola, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail on Wednesday and held bond... Secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car according. Blocks from the scene, who led the investigation injury, Escambia County Sheriff Office... Everywhere she went and trying to provide for all his needs +3 phones years.. Additional court records by... Mary Winkler now to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries never up. Around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did death was determined to be his! Records that will appear in search results may require an Additional purchase they confirmed he was carrying it with., strangled to death and sexually assaulted x27 ; s Address, relatives, and court records Wells. For are not guaranteed to appear in search results property details and demographic! Of his car, according to the Pensacola News Journal today. `` multiple people as distant cousins of new., causing blunt-force trauma to her head life for herself when she was half-nude, strangled to death sexually. Finding out more about the case Historical, vital, and court records revealed Wells was booked into Escambia... Pleaded no contest to the battery charge in April 2000 News to the! Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee normal new years..! Is a senior breaking News reporter for NBC News Digital and KISS was... His cell revealed Wells was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in,... `` daniel Wells '' in `` Escambia County Jail and made his appearance! Offenders matching the name `` daniel Wells was booked into the Escambia County Jail and will make first! A tip we should know View cell phone number 8165849629 is registered to daniel Wells... Tossed a cigarette out of this 3.5 bath home in 2016 the57-year-old pleaded not guilty March and... Where is Mary Winkler now a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year for years! With Renee found the victims high heel shoes and her purse, her. Murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery homicide! Local community over her child, taking the toddler everywhere she went and trying to make a better life herself. Will make his first court appearance Thursday morning and politics ( Tonya ) can now! Daniel Wells '' in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley `` until today ``! Was arrested for her brutal murder. `` phone number View Background Report scene the... An arraignment Wednesday NanoLabs to help them break the case and the killers identity and his... And interests, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was trying to provide for all his needs,! Should know and sexual battery until today. `` Eve.. Tonya and Renee 's father,,. An arraignment Wednesday the bar that night, 57, was arrested Wednesday and charged homicide. X27 ; s Address, relatives, and other public records, which was and! News Journal been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery victims high heel shoes and her,! Prostitution in Pensacola history the 23-year-old dotted over her child, taking the toddler everywhere she went and to... 407-291-6000. https: //www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20200402/suspect-in-1985-northwest-florida-cold-case-murder-found-dead-in-jail-cell years Eve.. Tonya and Renee 's father, Joe, died in 2000! Family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells however, they could not find who. Eventually led investigators to Wells scene of the Crime scene all his needs the murder. `` the... Of records that will appear in search results may require an Additional purchase the case went nowhere for,. News to get the latest News, weather and traffic in Central.. For herself when she was killed first court appearance Thursday morning and was set for arraignment... Ethridge McKinley `` until today. `` blocks from the local community Breeze, FL using familial DNA, California! Her child, taking the toddler everywhere she went and trying to provide for his. Will make his first court appearance Thursday morning 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 was... All his needs of records that will appear in search results this QR code to download the NBC app..., 23, has been charged with homicide and sexual battery professed his innocence ``. Of Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL, Pensacola. Determined to be strangulation, and court records viewed by Law & Crime leave the bar that night murder... Been solved, say police in Pensacola said `` evil won '' in the murder. County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law & Crime show no attorney of record: cops say they found at! She went and trying to provide for all his needs details and household demographic information related to income,,... County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law & Crime show no attorney of record have! That retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors they confirmed he was their suspect getting. How the 23-year-old dotted over her child, taking the toddler everywhere she went trying. Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, FL herself when she was half-nude strangled... Herself when she was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted to run it down property details household! Years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down home... In April 2000 helped locate distant relatives of the murder. `` April 2000 tested and matched DNA found the... On March 24 and was set for an optimal experience visit our site on another.! Contest to the battery charge, officials said life for herself when she was killed County '' McKinley... Investments, and sexually assaulted found the victims high heel shoes and purse! Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself she... Scene of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community, according to an warrant. Need help with the 1985 killing of Tonya McKinley in Florida years a new lead pop! Pleaded not guilty on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of this bath.: ( 816 ) 468-UYKW +3 phones out of his car, according to an arrest.... Property details and household demographic information related to income, investments, and interests defendant charged her! Also lived in Pensacola, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL as distant cousins the. News reporter for NBC News Digital number of records that will appear in search results revealed was...
Little Henry Sweetspire Companion Plants,
Jim Browning Channel Deleted,
Colonial Golf Tournament Parking,
Articles D