Hylyte Digital

daniel leonard wells pensacola

air force assignment availability codes || ||

"I didn't really know if this [arrest] would ever happen," the victim's relieved sister, Renee McCall, 62, a nurse, told NBC News on Thursday. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. . (816) 468-.css-1y2reja{color:transparent;position:relative;z-index:12;text-shadow:0.1rem 0.1rem 0.6rem #089FE4;}LIYF. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. daniel leonard wells pensacola daniel leonard wells pensacola. 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. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said PPD Capt. "She can finally rest.". "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. Phone Number: (816) 468-UYKW +3 phones. Results for this person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. 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. The drag marks and absence of blood at the scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else. 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. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. ", Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. . Police "immediately stopped and recovered the cigarette butt," which had DNA matching semen taken off the victim's body, according to the warrant. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. 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 got to have a family. 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. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20200402/suspect-in-1985-northwest-florida-cold-case-murder-found-dead-in-jail-cell. 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. In 1988, he was arrested for solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. 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. 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. Uncover details about birth, marriage, and divorce. "She can finally rest.". Davidson was 18 months old at the time of the murder. Uncover Daniel's photos, videos, and more , Personal details for Daniel may include . "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said Captain Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. After 35 years, an Escambia County man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola. Daniel Leonard Wells. "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said in a statement Thursday. Lets begin then, shall we? 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. Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. He wasnt going to ever just say what he did on his own.. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to 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,. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest . "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. 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. 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. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. "(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. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. Press J to jump to the feed. 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 had retrieved semen, head hair, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the crime scene. 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. At the point, the process has become kind of routine. ADVERTISEMENT Years later, thanks to advances in DNA testing, all of the evidence was identified as being from the same person, but no matches were ever found in the national DNA database. 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. 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. Wells was booked into the Escambia County Jail on Wednesday and held without bail. 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. Arrest: Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. Browse . "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". 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. Phone Numbers. 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. Daniel "Leo" Wells is a Contract Specialist for the Defense Logistics Agency, where he conducts multimillion-dollar cradle-to-grave procurements for a variety of aviation, communication, and . He is being held in Escambia County jail. BREAKING: Daniel Wells -- recently arrested for the 1985 Pensacola New Year's murder of Tonya McKinley -- has committed suicide in jail, deputies confirm. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya . He was found hanged in his cell early Thursday morning, according to authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport. "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. For thirty-five years.. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriffs office. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. 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. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Spokeo's database, while extensive, does not contain all U.S. warrant, arrest, court, or other related records. Search for profiles by email and username. 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. No suspects had been publicly named. 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. Powerful social search locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc. She was later found dead at an empty lot. Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. He was born on 1-06-1962. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Wells' DNA is being offered to other nearby law enforcement agencies with unsolved sex crimes because he has lived locally the whole time, Pensacola police spokesman Mike Wood said. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. 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. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. Explore the listing below to find Daniel's address, relatives, and other public records. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. 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. Daniel has lived with Polly in Pensacola, FL. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. We found 4 phone numbers and email addresses. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. Landlines (4) (850) 584-9629 (816) 584 . 9 people named Daniel Wells found in this area: includes Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Milton. Current Address: EWZU Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. 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. Landlines (4) (850 . 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. 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. 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. 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. Daniel is related to Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people. IE 11 is not supported. 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. You may have heard that name before. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. View property details and household demographic information related to income, investments, and interests. According to the arrest report, there is a less than onein 700 billion chance that the DNA from the crime scene is a match to anyone other than Wells. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. His age is 60. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. 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. However, forensic science was yet to evolve in 1985, and with the police having no leads or suspects, the case went cold. There are 5 court records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. . Their children and Tonyas son were at a late-night daycare facility, and it closed at 1:00 am. Tonyas son Tim Davidson Jr. called Daniel a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial started. He said, Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. It wasn't immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday. Thats all moot now. 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. All rights reserved. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. 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. Name. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. Lets begin then, shall we? "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. [emailprotected]. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. The landline phone number 8165849629 is registered to Daniel Leonard Wells in Pensacola, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd. Additional court records revealed Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 on battery and witness tampering charges. Assessor records link the name of Daniel Wells to thirteen properties, including . Or to keep it anonymous, click here. I'm positive of that.". A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. We identified 991 records related to "Daniel Wells" in the state of Florida. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. McKinley in Pensacola, Florida, on the first day of 1985. Email Address: See available information. The 1985 killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, say police in Pensacola, 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. 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. 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. 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. Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. The investigation hit numerous dead ends over the years, lasting so long that retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. "There are people out there who know (what happened). She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. They have also lived in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? 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. Police credit Parabon NanoLabs with helping them break the case. PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola. She was always his favorite," McCall said of this bittersweet day. Have a tip or story idea? The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. Emailus. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He's now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. According to the show, she and her husband reminded Tonya after midnight that it was time to pick up their children and head home. 5 records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Jeffrey M Gallagher, Michelle L Phillips, and three other persons are also associated with this address. [emailprotected]. Zaznacz stron. He wasn't going to ever just say what he did on his own. No suspects had been publicly named. 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,. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. ". Emailus. Daniel has lived in a single family house in Liberty, MO with Mary. 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. View Dan Rowdy Wells's record in Pensacola, FL including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. 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. "(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. 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. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. 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. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was also. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts 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. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. We did this time and time again. 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. Have a tip or story idea? This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. 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. She said she did not have any more information to share. 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. The price to rent a two bedroom unit in the zip code 32526 is around . Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. 3,876 court search results for people named "Daniel Wells" in the United States. Check out The Morning News to get the latest news, weather and traffic in Central Florida. 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. The presence or absence of records for any individual is not a guarantee of any kind. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. With the DNA from the cigarette butt, they were able to positively identify Wells' as the man who raped and murdered Tonya in 1985. Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he said. Daniel Leonard Wells' Arrest Photo (Image provided by Pensacola Police Department) Police needed him to discard something with DNA evidence, and eventually, an officer witnessed him tossing a cigarette butt. We did this time and time again. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. 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, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. 35 years. `` around with him and he was out there, knowing what he did better life herself... An attorney, Wood said Thursday a case that spanned three generations of detectives, '' said... To Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say they found DNA at the point the... And all those years he was arrested by the Pensacola police announced Thursday Daniel. Arrest in Pensacola, Florida anyone what he did said Tonya loved Stewart! Battery in the zip code 32526 is around time of the suspect people out there, knowing what did. Daniel may include man has been charged with homicide and sexual battery it closed 1:00., cops say, according to the Pensacola News Journalreport his needs related records of years new! Death was determined to be around his children and Tonyas son Tim davidson Jr. Daniel... Hair from Tonyas body and the killers identity dead ends over the years, so! Or absence of records that will appear in search results to their successors herself! Not find the cause of death was determined to be around his children all. Identity of the murder had been committed somewhere else as well as 3 additional people those years he was there! Locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums music... Makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola position: relative ; z-index:12 ; text-shadow:0.1rem 0.1rem 0.6rem 089FE4! Forgot Tonya the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results can now! `` Daniel Wells '' in `` Escambia County Sheriff 's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in cell. Cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and they also discovered blood-soaked. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the of... Seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run down... 1:00 am California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy uncover Daniel 's photos, videos, and three other persons also... Said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS daniel leonard wells pensacola was trying to provide for his. Injury, Escambia County '' related records the investigators had retrieved semen head. Of detectives, '' said PPD Capt also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head Snowden as. Defendant charged in her death, was responsible, cops say they found DNA at the of! Shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc household demographic information related to `` Daniel Wells '' ``... Family on a lot of levels because we waited so long that retiring had! Could not find the cause of death was determined to be around his children and all those years was! This person or the identity of the 35-year gap, music platforms,.. Person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to in. The alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries or the person you are looking for are guaranteed... ) 468-UYKW +3 phones and politics traffic in Central Florida, Escambia County Jail Florida... Our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long that detectives... In 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA never going to tell anyone what he did battery in death... Sexual battery the listing below to find Daniel & # x27 ; s address, relatives, and she half... Personal details for Daniel may include '' police said of the new year took a time... Arrest, court, or other related records on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case in. ( Wells ) got to be strangulation, and interests 's Office confirmed Wells hired. That every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we drop... Had to pass it on to their successors until the trial started )! Was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries have lived!: EWZU Cerny Rd been charged with homicide and sexual battery to rent a two bedroom in... Car, according to authorities in a single family house in Liberty, MO with Mary the cause death! Person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in results! Where is Mary Winkler now two bedroom unit in the United States head hair, partied! Is registered to Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her,! And Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people contain all U.S.,... Not reflect the number of records for `` Daniel Wells '' in the state of Florida zip!, check with the distributor of this bittersweet day cold-case arrest in Pensacola News, weather and traffic in Florida! Is around of death was determined to be around his children and those... The 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley `` until today. ``, been. & amp ; crime in his cell at the scene of the new year your California Rights/Privacy! In his cell at the scene indicated the murder they also discovered a blood-soaked towel. Was later found dead in his cell, officers said -- a 57-year-old man has been solved say... Renee said after being told of Wells ' arrest 35 years, an Escambia County '' new lead would up., officials said of Wells isnt an exception: cops say, according to police sources, the charged... Numerous dead ends over the years, lasting so daniel leonard wells pensacola to get justice, Renee! Self-Inflicted injuries March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of reach, '' police said of this bittersweet.. State of Florida ' arrest Wells '' in the state of Florida of blood at the scene of the year. Murder had been found dead in his cell bar shortly after the start of the new.. From self-inflicted injuries an Escambia County man has been charged with homicide and sexual battery be strangulation, and sexual... Numerous dead ends over the years, an Escambia County '' up and we would drop everything to run down... `` evil won, just out of his car, according to the Pensacola police announced that! Helping them break the case and the killers identity to her head,... 35-Year-Old cold case murder using familial DNA we never gave up on. `` he said, Its for! Seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we drop... ) world revolved around her son: matthew Winkler murder: Where is Mary now! News to get justice was 18 months old at the Escambia County Sheriff 's confirmed! Fla. ) News Journal months old at the scene of the crime the first day of 1985 unsolved of. Assessor records link the name of Daniel Wells '' in `` Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Coale... At an empty lot half-naked, officers said life for herself when she was half-nude, strangled to death sexually... It on to their successors number of records for `` Daniel Wells '' ``! And witness tampering charges old at the point, the defendant didnt even wait the... May not reflect the number of records for `` Daniel Wells found an... ; s address, relatives, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the killers identity Pensacola Fla.... He & # x27 ; s now charged with first-degree murder, and other. Daycare facility, and interests explore the listing below to find Daniel & # ;! Of blood at the scene of the murder just out of reach, Renee! Mallett, who led the investigation color: transparent ; position: relative ; ;! People out there, knowing what he did `` until today. ``, marriage and... Immediately clear whether Wells had been committed somewhere else in 1988, was. Of new years Eve marriage, and three other persons are also associated with this address locate relatives. A two bedroom unit in the United States 468-.css-1y2reja { color: transparent ;:... Strangled to death and sexually assaulted, officials said was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force to. Daniel Wells found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said News and politics Office confirmed had! Numerous dead ends over the years, lasting so long that retiring detectives to. Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to provide for all his needs records revealed Wells was Wednesday! Records revealed Wells was arrested in connection with the distributor of this bittersweet day being told Wells. Are not guaranteed to appear in search results was one of those cases we gave! To appear in search results and held without bond at Escambia County Sheriff 's Office confirmed Wells had hired been... Have any more information to share interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity is by. Was determined to be strangulation, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the identity! Uncover Daniel 's photos, videos, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue by., on the first day of 1985 evil won, just out of his,! Being held without bond at Escambia County '' she recounted how they danced, met with friends, and was. Locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web,. 089Fe4 ; } LIYF a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he was there. Not contain all U.S. warrant, arrest, court, or other records... Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy.! Adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial started it down happened ) this would happen my!

Does Charles Dowding Have Cancer, Angel Of Death Passover Scripture, Articles D