The investigators interviewed several partygoers to learn the last time anyone had seen Tonya alive was around 1:15 am. ". Names are spelled as they appear in the primary source, Bixby Bulletin obituary, and cannot be edited by Bixby Historical Society. 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. All rights reserved. DNA evidence lifted from a discarded cigarette led Florida police to the man they believe killed a young mother 35 years ago, authorities said Thursday. 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 charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya Ethridge McKinley." The reasons why this happened, how evil crossed Tonyas path, may never be answered and in the end may not be important. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. DECATUR - Decatur Public Schools Board of Education has approved a new three-year contract with Superintendent Rochelle Clark. 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. A 57-year-old man has been arrested 35 years after the murder of a young mother in Florida. Obituary. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. . Born in Erie on May 20, 1957, a son of the late Logan and . Find service information, send flowers, and leave memories and thoughts in the Guestbook for your loved one. Died October, 27 2022 in Ponca, NE. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) . A memorial service will be in 2014. . Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Apr 18, 2023; Click for details . He was a Lead Electrician at Lockheed Martin and served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. Beverley Rose Melvin . Find the obituary of Daniel Edward Wells (1946 - 2023) from Lindale, TX. Law enforcement officials were able to construct a family tree, beginning with the distant relatives, that ultimately led them to identify Daniel as a suspect. IE 11 is not supported. 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. Funeral Care Services; Celebrations of Life; In Memory; Place an Obituary; Clear Search Results Search. 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. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Ervin Wells Sr. (Wilmington, North Carolina), who passed away on December 14, 2022, at the age of 97, leaving to mourn family and friends. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? 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. 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. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Her partially nude body was found on the side of Peak Drive near Scenic Highway about four hours after she was last seen alive at Darryls Restaurant behind what was then University Mall. Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". Scott Daniel Leonard Sr. aka Frenchy Born on March 20 1961. Authorities said a man arrested last month in a 35-year-old Florida Panhandle slaying has been found dead in jail from an apparent suicide Their children and Tonyas son were at a late-night daycare facility, and it closed at 1:00 am. He was held without bond at Escambia County Jail and made his court appearance the following morning, where he professed his innocence. 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Jean Carroll civil rape case, Prosecutors seek death penalty against plastic surgeon accused of murdering missing lawyer who represented former employer in suit, 'This was not a random act': Person of interest in custody after Detroit neurosurgeon found shot in head and wrapped in blanket, 'I'm sorry. He was born on . Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. She left behind an 18-month-old son. He was 80. He was charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya Ethridge McKinley. The case went nowhere for years, but officers said they used Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case. Frenchy's obituary. Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. But DNA in a public database eventually linked McKinley's killer to Wells' family and then to him, police said. He helped ensure African Americans had equal access to promotions in the desegregated Milwaukee Police Department. Today, the evil that took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested for her brutal murder, the department said. She was later found dead at an empty lot. She said she did not have any more information to share. 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. Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. 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. 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. Obituary. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57 . Eventually, authorities said, the tree led them to identify Wells as a suspect. However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Using a database, Pensacola authorities were able to match DNA evidence found near McKinleys body with several different people believed to be Wells distant cousins. ", "She was killed in the early-morning hours of January 1, 1985. (Escambia County Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Obituaries - - - - - All . On January 1, 1985, a mother and her daughter were driving their sick dog to the vet when they made a horrifying discovery in an empty lot at the corner of Peacock Drive and Creighton Road, just one block off Scenic Highway. "The reasons why this happened, how evil crossed Tonya's path, may never be answered and in the end may not be important," according to police. Obituaries. ". Wells was living in Olive Branch, Mississippi, about a 30-minute drive from Memphis, where he taught. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. You can search by first or last name, state and publication date. I cant believe this day has finally arrived, Tonya Ethridge McKinleys sister said on Thursday. Wells Sr. died Monday, September 23, 2019, at the Life Care Center of Richland at the age of 90. David Charles Fryberg Sr. David Charles December 30, 1941 - Fryberg Sr. February 14, 2023 David Charles Fryberg Sr., 81, passed away on February 14, 2023 surrounded by his family. Thats all moot now. She was always his favorite," McCall said of this bittersweet day. A legend. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Arrest:Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. He studied law, was admitted to the . With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Daniel Edward Wells of Lindale, Texas, born in Longview, Texas, who passed away on January 11, 2023 at the age of 76. . I love you': Chilling note found at murder scene after husband allegedly drives 500 miles to tell mom he shot and killed his wife, I do not want this on record: Texas substitute teacher caught encouraging student fights on video immediately fired and jailed, Burning body found in open field after bystander initially believed it to be a mannequin: This is a jarring scene, Repeat offender who has cost taxpayers millions by eating metal from jail cells hes occupied is headed back to the clink, Federal judge orders Missouri woman who faked death of famous Hollywood chimp to pay PETA $224,000, Inmates who escaped jail through a hole cut with toothbrush and metal object arrested at IHOP, Florida man goes on naked stroll, tells officers hes from a different earth: Police. John L. "Lenny" Wells, Sr. 02/10/1942 - 08/07/2021. The57-year-old pleaded not guilty on March 24 and was set for an arraignment in the first week of April. Leonard Gordon Goodman (25 April 1944 - 22 April 2023) was an English professional ballroom dancer, dance teacher, and dance competition adjudicator.He appeared as head judge on the UK television programme Strictly Come Dancing, where various celebrities compete for the glitter ball trophy, from its beginning in 2004 until 2016 and on the U.S. television programme Dancing with the Stars from . Daniel Robert Wells died at his Bay Ridge Annapolis home on January 2, 2023. 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 . Leonard D. Wells, aka Bill, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Landmark Care Center, four days after his 92nd birthday. Mr. Daniel Steven Leonard, 35 of Thomasville passed away Thursday, October 6, 2022 at his residence. The 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, will never go to trial. Here's What You Actually Saw, Check Your Change! Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. Fifth Flight (East and North) 8:24 a.m.: Nick Maschas-Michael Gilbert; Randy Greer-Dave Robbins. No suspects had been publicly named. He was born on January 31, 1946, in Lincoln County, West Virginia, the son of the Leonard Clark Wells Jr., age 70, of Westbrook, Connecticut passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021. Born February 10, 1942 in Arlington, Massachusetts, he relocated with his family to Tampa, Florida in 1981. His grandson, Cody Wells, and his sister, Leanna Wells, preceded him in death. Obituary. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, according to the Pensacola News Journal. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website, Leonard Wells, age 76, of Stafford, Virginia passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at his daughters residence. The investigators had retrieved semen, head hair, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the crime scene. "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. Let others know about your loved one's death. $205,000; 7054 Hemlock St., Hanover Park; Sold on March 8, 2023, by Wells Fargo Bank Trustee to Cesar O Olague $186,500; 1310 Merrimac Ln N, Hanover Park; Sold on March 23, 2023, by Julia A Rutt . This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. McKinley was last seen alive celebrating New Years Eve around 1:30 a.m. at Darryls Bar & Grille in Pensacola, while her 18-month-old son was waiting for her at home. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. In the meantime, a baby boy grew up without a mother, parents buried their daughter without knowing justice, and a killer was walking around free.. Daniel was thankful for his salvation and loved the Lord with all his heart. Burial will follow the service at Stafford Memorial Park, 154 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford, Virginia. Born March 3, 1940 in Waynesville, NC to Patrick Joseph and Coralie Bolton Leonard, Dan was a recognized expert in the field of music education, having taught . Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Shapiro to speak at first Erie Co. Community College graduation, Erie County Council primary election: 3 Dems, 4 GOP running for office, Erie County's Top Performers for high school athletics, April 24-29, Meet Trusted Company: The last known living daughter of Secretariat, National League's surprise top team is charting a new course, Why a PA official wants to create an Office of Outdoor Recreation, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The death has occurred of Daniel Leonard (Junior) Ballinacurra Gardens, Ballinacurra, Limerick. Thomas "Tom" Daniel Wells Jr., age 89, of Thomasville . Arrangements are under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home . Send it to The Daily Beasthere. He is being held in Escambia County jail without . I cant believe this day has finally arrived.. Browse Toledo local obituaries on Legacy.com. Earlier this morning I came across this news article stating that the murderer Daniel Wells has killed himself in Escambia County Jail. This booking photo provided by Escambia County Corrections shows Daniel Wells. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. After spending eight years employed at the Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company in Grand Prairie, Texas, he and . PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) 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. Kenneth Leo Kenny Wells, a native of Pensacola, Florida and a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, departed the planet on April 1, 2023, leaving no itinerary as to his next destination within the Robert Bobby" Wells, 90, died peacefully at home February 16, 2023. Today, the evil that took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested for her brutal murder.". Clark was born December 1, 1950 in Greenwich, CT. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may John "Lenny" Wells Sr. of Tampa, 79, passed away at home August 7, 2021. Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he had been a Peninsula . 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. A total 172 Danville, Pittsylvania County and Halifax County residents were recently named to the Danville Community College vice president . DANIEL LEONARD OBITUARY. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. Police "immediately stopped and recovered the cigarette butt," which had DNA matching semen taken off the victim's body, according to the warrant. Apr 15, 2023 . The Pensacola Police Department said they followed Wells and were ultimately able to match DNA from a cigarette butt hed discarded to the evidence theyd collected 35 years ago. "Until today. Wells, 64 of Wattsburg, passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022, surrounded by his family at St. Vincent Health Center. Graveside Services for Daniel Leo Leonard, Sr., age 83, of Picayune, MS, who passed away Saturday, December 25, 2021, will be held Friday, January 7, 2022 at 11:00 am at OLPH Cemetery, Belle Chasse, LA. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as: names, dates, place of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships. Wells Fargo Bank NA sold property at 203 Monroe St. to Cathryn Brandau for $80,000. A trailblazer. It wasn't immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday. According to court records obtained by the Pensacola News Journal, Wells has had previous run-ins with Pensacola authorities, including a 1987 arrest for alleged battery and witness tampering. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Tornado Touched Down in Palm Beach Gardens, Leaving Destruction in Its Wake. Bracknell celebrate a goal in their win over Longford last week. Daniel Brown sold property at 8005 Thon Drive to James Donald Shults for $130,000. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, one of popular music's most influential figures for four decades, known most widely for the song "Hallelujah," died Nov. 10, 2016. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". The drag marks and absence of blood at the scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else. The 23-year-old, who was found only partially clothed, had been strangled and sexually assaulted, police said. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. Need help? Obituary. Snippet of text from article above: "The Escambia County Sheriffs Office said Daniel Leonard Wells took his own life in his cell early Thursday morning, just a few days ahead of a scheduled court appearance on April 8. He is preceded in death by his parents Joy Charles, and Patricia Leonard, and a sister Robin Buck. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. 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. The emergency squad of the Champlain Fire Department received a call for a resuscitator shortly after 4:40. 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. She said she did not have any more information to share. Index Of Deceased Bixby Bulletin Obituary Archive Obituary Look-up by email is available free of charge at Bixby Historical Society. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. Their parting exchange was wishing each other New Year greetings, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning. He spent 27 years on . 8:32 a.m.: David Chapple-Kerry Miller; Shane Larsson-Junior Flores April 28, 1929 September 23, 2019. No suspects had been publicly named. She was a retired assistant manager for Jerry Lees Grocery . Wade, Bessie Wadley, Della Waggener, Nora Alice Waggener, Patrick Henry Waggoner, Lula . When detectives retired, Tonyas case was passed along to the next generation again and again. He was a member of Love of God Baptist Church. "It weighed a lot on him. Late of Ballinacurra Gardens and Rathbane, Limerick. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 Friday at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington. In the meantime, a baby boy grew up without a mother, parents buried their daughter without knowing justice, and a killer was walking around free. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. He was born . Survivors include: one son, Leonard Wells, Jr., (Joyce) of Stafford, Virginia; one daughter, Cynthia Wells, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; three brothers, Michael Wells (Evelyn) of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Tracey Wells (Karen) of Dunnellon, Florida, and Fargo Wells of Stafford, Virginia; one half-sister, Grace Warr (Silas) of Brisbane, Australia; one grandchild, Misty Hatcher (Matthew); and three great grandchildren, Gemma, Jade, and Josie Hatcher. She was born May 8, 1929, in Greensboro, Ala. Mrs. Womack was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. How smash-and-grab at Millcreek Jared's was part of nationwide heists. Records viewed by Law&Crime show that Wells, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday. William "Bill" Daniel Leonard, 82, of Lexington, passed away Monday October 24, 2022 at his home. HAMPTON - Leonard Daniel Wells of Hampton, Va., died unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at the age of 56. Pensacola detectives arrested Wells on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 and charged him with the slaying of Tonya McKinley, 23, whose body was found before dawn on New Year's Day 1985. His funeral is planned for Saturday . Daniel J. Leonard Charleston - Daniel Joseph Leonard, a teacher to thousands, a mentor, friend, and role model to many, died July 14, 2020, at Summerville Community Hospice. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. He has been charged with murder and sexual battery. Investigators collected physical evidence at the scene and on McKinleys bodyincluding semen and hairbut they were never able to identify a suspect or make any arrests in the case. See all obituaries for Daniel Wells. Lenard "Lenny" Wells died March 21 at age 69 of complications from the coronavirus. The contract runs from July 1 until June 30, 2026 and replaces the . Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. God is good. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. The authorities were able to establish a timeline when residents of the locality near the crime scene reported they were confident they did not see any corpse when they passed the parking lot at 2:00 am. Leonard Wells, 92, of Grand Haven died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at Heartwood Lodge, Hospice. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. 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. Four hours later, a family taking their dog to the vet found her body in an empty lot a block from a highway. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. Apr 19, 2023; Click for details . 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. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. OBITUARY Mr. C. L. Burns (Tunbridge Wells) Mr. Cecil Leonard Burns, well-known architect, sparetime artist, and a champion of the preservation of the architectural heritage of the town . Pallbearers: Mike Wells (brother), Tracey Wells (brother), Fargo Wells (brother), Rick Scites (cousin), Mike Blair (nephew), and Tom Blair (nephew). Investigation Discoverys On The Case With Paula Zahn: New Years Eve Nightmare chronicles the brutal rape and murder of 23-year-old mother Tonya McKinley in Pensacola, Florida, on the first day of 1985. Footy is back and The Examiner will once again . She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. Bill loved working on cars and was a Master Mason. Apr 21, 2023; Click for details . Local obituaries for Escanaba, Michigan 332 Results Thursday, March 2, 2023 Add Photos Add a Memory Katherine "Kathy" Frappier Katherine "Kathy" Christine Frappier (nee Woodring), 71, of. She was the best sister a girl could ask for, her older sister, Renee Ethridge, told The Daily Beast. He was born on April 28, 1929, in Grants Pass, Oregon, to Kathryn and Wilson Wells. Snippet of text from article above: "The Escambia County Sheriff's Office said Daniel Leonard Wells took his own life in his cell early Thursday morning, just a few days ahead of a scheduled court appearance on April 8. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Timothy Davidson Jr., McKinleys 35-year-old son, told The Daily Beast that while he is grateful for the arrest, he will only feel complete when there is a conviction and justice has been served., Its still kind of unbelievablelike Im dreaming, Davidson Jr. said, adding that his mother can finally Rest in Peace.. unmarried couples rights with property division, ryan cohen chewy house,

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