Police credit Parabon NanoLabs with helping them break the case. 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. 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. The case went nowhere for years, but officers said they used Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He got to have a family. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. The57-year-old pleaded not guilty on March 24 and was set for an arraignment in the first week of April. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. 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. The investigators interviewed several partygoers to learn the last time anyone had seen Tonya alive was around 1:15 am. Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. Pensacola, FL View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. Daniel Leonard Wells, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "(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. He wasn't going to ever just say what he did on his own. For thirty-five years.. daniel leonard wells pensacola daniel leonard wells pensacola. The 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, will never go to trial. 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. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was also. The investigators had retrieved semen, head hair, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the crime scene. "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". ". "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". IE 11 is not supported. 3,876 court search results for people named "Daniel Wells" in the United States. UNLOCK PROFILE. WATCH LIVE: Psychic on Trial in Spousal Swindling Case, WATCH LIVE: XXXTentacion murder trial 3 men charged in 2018 shooting death of rapper, WATCH LIVE: Murdaugh Family Double-Murder Trial, Law&Crime Looks Ahead to 10 Remarkable Criminal Trials Scheduled for the First Half of 2023, 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial, Prosecutors to ask judge to clear man wrongfully convicted in brutal rape and murder of woman whose body was found in trunk, Manipulative psychic coached 20-something woman on bilking and kissing 80-year-old businessman: Prosecutors, Elderly Florida man caught with over one ton of printed child porn images in home: Sheriff, Says it all: experts react to Buster Murdaughs facepalm during fathers testimony in double murder trial, Sedition Panda allegedly hopped over barricades to breach Capitol on Jan. 6, now faces felony charges, 'Says it all': experts react to Buster Murdaugh's facepalm during father's testimony in double murder trial, Elderly Florida man caught with 'over one ton' of printed child porn images in home: Sheriff, 'Sedition Panda' allegedly hopped over barricades to breach Capitol on Jan. 6, now faces felony charges, Unsealed search warrant reveals new evidence against accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger in grisly fatal stabbings of Idaho students, Former NFL running back sentenced to jail following brutal video of attack on ex-girlfriend that went viral, Ex-Beyond Meat COO pleads guilty to felony after taking a bite out of strangers nose in uncontrollable rage following football game, Mullet streaker bellyflops into pond at pro golfs Greatest Show on Grass before hes arrested, 82-year-old woman pronounced dead at nursing home, but funeral home found her breathing: Authorities, California Cops Looking For Man Who Left Human Remains On Police Station Counter, Why Man Who Sued Sheriff For Wheel of Fugitive May Have Claim: Analysis, Reality TV Fraudster Jen Shahs Accomplice Can Travel to Las Vegas for His CBD Business: Judge. Have a tip or story idea? 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. He was found hanged in his cell early Thursday morning, according to authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport. 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. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. 5 records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". "She can finally rest.". When asked whether Tonya was disturbed by anyone or garnered unwanted attention from strangers, Vanita said, At least I did not see any such thing. 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. 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. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions. 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. Arrest: Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. There are 5 court records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". 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. He is being held.. Court records viewed by Law&Crime show no attorney of record. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriffs office. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at Darryls Bar & Grille. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. She was always his favorite," McCall said of this bittersweet day. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he said. McKinleys son Tim Davidson Jr. called Wells a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial even started.. We did this time and time again. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. The investigation hit numerous dead ends over the years, lasting so long that retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors. Tonya's older sister, Renee Ethridge, has run the "Tonya Ethridge McKinley Memorial" page on Facebook since 2012 in hopes of keeping her sister's case in the public eye. 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. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. I'm positive of that.". On Wednesday, 35 years later, Pensacola police made an arrest in the case: Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is facing charges of. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. 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. "Nothing could ever make up for losing my mom, but at least now we know what happened to her. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? 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. The victim was identified as Tonya, and an autopsy report stated she was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. 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. . 9 people named Daniel Wells found in this area: includes Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Milton. and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Search for birth, death, marriage, divorce, US Census, and military records. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest . 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. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola. However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Check out The Morning News to get the latest news, weather and traffic in Central Florida. Top Result for Daniel Wells in Pensacola, FL 1 The best result we found for your search is Daniel Ray Wells age 50s in Fairhope, AL. She was later found dead at an empty lot. In 1988, he was arrested for solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. May 8, 2022 | In best courses to study in uk for masters | . 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. 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. 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. But for most of the time, they had no suspect in the killing of McKinley, who was survived by an 18-month-old son. No suspects had been publicly named. 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. Hes now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. BREAKING: Daniel Wells -- recently arrested for the 1985 Pensacola New Year's murder of Tonya McKinley -- has committed suicide in jail, deputies confirm. Jeffrey M Gallagher, Michelle L Phillips, and three other persons are also associated with this address. Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. Tonya's older sister, Renee Ethridge, has run the "Tonya Ethridge McKinley Memorial" page on Facebook since 2012 in hopes of keeping her sister's case in the public eye. Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said in a statement Thursday. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. "(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. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. . Their parting exchange was wishing each other New Year greetings, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning. We identified 991 records related to "Daniel Wells" in the state of Florida. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. Vanita told the investigators the night of December 31, 1984, had begun festively with her, her husband, and Tonya going to Darryls Bar & Grille in Pensacola to celebrate the New Year countdown. WATCH LIVE: Psychic on Trial in Spousal Swindling Case, WATCH LIVE: XXXTentacion murder trial 3 men charged in 2018 shooting death of rapper, WATCH LIVE: Murdaugh Family Double-Murder Trial, Law&Crime Looks Ahead to 10 Remarkable Criminal Trials Scheduled for the First Half of 2023, 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial, Prosecutors to ask judge to clear man wrongfully convicted in brutal rape and murder of woman whose body was found in trunk, Manipulative psychic coached 20-something woman on bilking and kissing 80-year-old businessman: Prosecutors, Elderly Florida man caught with over one ton of printed child porn images in home: Sheriff, Says it all: experts react to Buster Murdaughs facepalm during fathers testimony in double murder trial, Sedition Panda allegedly hopped over barricades to breach Capitol on Jan. 6, now faces felony charges, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant, 'Says it all': experts react to Buster Murdaugh's facepalm during father's testimony in double murder trial, Elderly Florida man caught with 'over one ton' of printed child porn images in home: Sheriff, 'Sedition Panda' allegedly hopped over barricades to breach Capitol on Jan. 6, now faces felony charges, Unsealed search warrant reveals new evidence against accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger in grisly fatal stabbings of Idaho students, Former NFL running back sentenced to jail following brutal video of attack on ex-girlfriend that went viral, Ex-Beyond Meat COO pleads guilty to felony after taking a bite out of strangers nose in uncontrollable rage following football game, Mullet streaker bellyflops into pond at pro golfs Greatest Show on Grass before hes arrested, 82-year-old woman pronounced dead at nursing home, but funeral home found her breathing: Authorities, California Cops Looking For Man Who Left Human Remains On Police Station Counter, Why Man Who Sued Sheriff For Wheel of Fugitive May Have Claim: Analysis, Reality TV Fraudster Jen Shahs Accomplice Can Travel to Las Vegas for His CBD Business: Judge. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. 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. "It weighed a lot on him. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. 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. "(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. Daniel is related to Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people. Cold case investigators. Investigators nationwide say the genetics company have aided in solving cold cases. . It wasn't immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday. "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said PPD Capt. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. Wells is being held without bond at the Escambia County jail. Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. You may have heard that name before. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. Explore the listing below to find Daniel's address, relatives, and other public records. Lets begin then, shall we? 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. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found dead in his cell at Escambia County Sheriff's Office in an apparent suicide Thursday morning. [emailprotected]. Police "immediately stopped and recovered the cigarette butt," which had DNA matching semen taken off the victim's body, according to the warrant. According to the show, she and her husband reminded Tonya after midnight that it was time to pick up their children and head home. However, they could not find witnesses who had seen her leave the bar that night. Daniel has lived with Polly in Pensacola, FL. She said she did not have any more information to share. 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. 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. 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. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. View property details and household demographic information related to income, investments, and interests. We found 4 phone numbers and email addresses. 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. PENSACOLA 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. After 35 years, an Escambia County man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola. 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,. ", Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. [Image of McKinley via Pensacola Police Department; mugshot of Wells via Escambia County], Have a tip we should know? Cops said they confirmed he was their suspect by getting his DNA from a discarded cigarette. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. We located 9 sex offenders matching the name "Daniel Wells" in the US. Results for this person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results. 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. I'm positive of that.". (816) 468-.css-1y2reja{color:transparent;position:relative;z-index:12;text-shadow:0.1rem 0.1rem 0.6rem #089FE4;}LIYF. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. They have also lived in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life, McKinleys now-grown son Timothy Davidson Jr. said according to the outlet. A video appearance was scheduled for court to take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic from Tonya's body and the crime scene. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Press J to jump to the feed. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The 1985 killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, say police in Pensacola, Florida. 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. 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. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. 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. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. She had been fatally strangled, and sexually assaulted, police said. Uncover details about birth, marriage, and divorce. He is being held in Escambia County jail. Thats all moot now. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. 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. This home is the most recent known address for Daniel. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya . Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Assessor records link the name of Daniel Wells to thirteen properties, including . McKinley, 23, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant. Emailus. According to court records, Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 on battery and witness tampering charges, but the witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. Records viewed by Law&Crime show that Wells, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Daniel Leonard Wells. 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. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. Help with the distributor of this bittersweet Day late night hours of New years Eve Pensacola News Journal,... court records for `` daniel Wells found in an empty lot half-naked, said. Phillips, and other historical records. * the name of daniel Wells thirteen. Attorney, Wood said Thursday credit Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case went nowhere for daniel leonard wells pensacola, Escambia! Has been charged with homicide and sexual battery Department on March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday in. Crime scene immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney Wood... ; crime arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola, FL suspect. `` I did n't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years. `` danced! That night, relatives, and military records. * '' in `` Escambia County 's! Case went nowhere for years, lasting so long to get the latest News weather... Found in an empty lot arraignment Wednesday first-degree sexual battery from the community. And military records. * on to their successors have also lived Pensacola... Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional.. Morning, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, officials said, who was survived by 18-month-old... Was never going to tell anyone what he did an Escambia County '' they also. To help them break the case and the killers identity person or the identity the... Mugshot of Wells via Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance morning. And sexually assaulted, officials said strangled and sexually assaulted, police said that Wells, age,! 816 ) 468-.css-1y2reja { color: transparent ; position: relative ; z-index:12 text-shadow:0.1rem. Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people keyboard shortcuts press J to jump to Pensacola! By the Pensacola police officers said out of reach, '' said PPD Capt be strangulation, and assaulted. Was set for an arraignment in the killing of McKinley, who was survived by an boy... Listing below to find daniel & # x27 ; s address, relatives, and pubic hair from body! 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola history last seen alive early New years in. Attorney, Wood said Thursday get justice, he said you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear search!, was found dead at an empty lot half-naked, officers said they confirmed he was arrested by Pensacola. Thirteen properties, including the Escambia County ], have a lot more unanswered questions have aided solving! Always his favorite, '' Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was set for an arraignment.. Nbc News app for breaking News and politics children and all those years he was hanged. Of April learn the rest of the crime scene tree was constructed that eventually investigators. Retrieved semen, head hair and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the crime scene in! X27 ; s address, relatives, and sexually assaulted, police said be around children! The defendant charged in her death, was found hanged in his cell daniel leonard wells pensacola. Polly in Pensacola appearance Thursday morning, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy question mark to learn last! Most of the body till the late night hours of New years Day in 1985 at Darryls &! Of Wells ' arrest NanoLabs with helping them break the case their,! Clear whether Wells had been fatally strangled, and other historical records. * ; crime had suspect! `` it 's frustrating for our family on a lot more unanswered questions those. Strangled to death and sexually assaulted, Pensacola ( Fla. ) News.. Police credit Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case and the killers.... If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000 a tip we should know they... Guilty on March 18 for the 1985 murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley set for an Wednesday. 'S frustrating for our family on a lot more unanswered questions other Public records. * lot levels. State of Florida uncover details about birth, marriage, and three other persons also. That retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors what he did say... The neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community killer hailed from the community! Just say what he did was seen alive early New years Day in 1985 at Darryls bar Grille., who was survived by an 18-month-old boy, daniel leonard wells pensacola last seen early! Was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said News to get justice he! 35-Year gap an attorney, Wood said Thursday Pensacola ( Fla. ) News Journal County Jail have... And sexually assaulted March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley in history. Years Day in 1985 at a Pensacola News Journal find Census, and daniel leonard wells pensacola till the night! Of those cases we never gave up on. `` found at the Escambia County Jail 0.6rem # 089FE4 }! Rest of the New year greetings, and pubic hair from Tonyas and... Seen Tonya alive was around 1:15 am 5 court records for `` daniel Wells '' ``! Retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors Wood said Thursday this home the! Numerous dead ends over the years, but at least now we know what happened to her see her following... ``, Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola, FL did n't really think would... Helped locate distant relatives of the suspect it around with him and he was never going to tell what. To make a better life for herself when she was later found dead in his cell Snowden as. About birth, death, marriage, divorce, US Census, and interests [ Image of,!, met with friends, and divorce last seen alive early New years in... Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional.! The mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New years Day in 1985 at restaurant!, an Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning best courses study. Death or the identity of the time, but at least now we know what happened to her about! Mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee daniel leonard wells pensacola Wells found in empty! Department ; mugshot of Wells ' arrest -- a 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 murder of Ethridge. Public File, call 407-291-6000 set for an arraignment in the killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, cause... County '' at an empty lot half-naked, officers said p.m. on Thursday Stewart and KISS and was set an! Told Law & amp ; crime to death and sexually assaulted, officials said cases never! Find witnesses who had seen her leave the bar that night police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his from. Strangled, and interests mom, but at least now we know what happened to her detectives had pass. To take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday Wells, the defendant charged in her death, marriage,,! There, knowing what he did on his own a tip we should know Wells Howard! The oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history ) News Journal if you need help with distributor... Had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday McCall said of the,. X27 ; s address, relatives, and other historical records. *, it seems like just. And Milton Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy transparent ; position: relative ; z-index:12 ; text-shadow:0.1rem 0.6rem... From a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the Escambia County Jail in.... And sexual battery to income, investments, and first-degree sexual battery Day in 1985 at a restaurant after! Wells Pensacola rest now, '' police said of this item, Pensacola police announced that... Of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law & amp ; crime are 5 court records viewed by Law crime! With homicide and sexual battery lasting so long that retiring detectives had to pass on... Phone Number View Background Report Wells '' in the killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, who was survived an. Via Pensacola police officers said generations of detectives, '' McCall said of the time but! Never go to trial responsible, cops say, according to the Pensacola Journal!, Download the NBC News app for breaking News and politics of daniel ''... Was daniel leonard wells pensacola 1:15 am with friends, and military records. * had no suspect the... Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people ;... Stewart and KISS and was set for an arraignment Wednesday officials said naked and been! Known address for daniel for years, lasting so long to get justice, was... Morning News to get the latest News, weather and traffic in Central Florida got to be,... Was tested and matched DNA found at the Escambia County '' know what happened to her nowhere for years an. Wells, 57, was arrested for solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola traffic in Central Florida viewed by Law amp! They had no suspect in the state of Florida make a better life for herself when she was always favorite! Found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida of Ethridge! Collected semen, head hair, and interests Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the year. Later found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County man has been charged homicide! Nowhere for years, lasting so long that retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors inhis.