This booking photo provided by Escambia County Corrections shows Daniel Wells. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriffs office. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. Apr 21, 2023; Click for details . According to police reports, surveillance teams obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched with DNA found at the crime scene. He was born on April 28, 1929, in Grants Pass, Oregon, to Kathryn and Wilson Wells. Recently there was a post announcing they had arrested a suspect who confessed to the 35 year old cold case. We did this time and time again, the department said in their statement. Records viewed by Law&Crime show that Wells, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday. 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. 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. Guest commentary: Let's stand up to Dan Patrick's attack on academic freedom (42) We all should push back against toxic political dialogue (37 . ", "She was killed in the early-morning hours of January 1, 1985. However, forensic science was yet to evolve in 1985, and with the police having no leads or suspects, the case went cold. 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. http://www.northescambia.com/2020/04/suspect-recently-arrested-in-35-year-old-cold-case-murder-commits-suicide-in-jail. Lenard "Lenny" Wells died March 21 at age 69 of complications from the coronavirus. David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. Leonard Charles Wells was born April 25, 1940, to Alfred and Madelyn (Van Oss) Wells in White Earth, Minn. As a young boy, his parents moved to Portland to seek employment. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 Friday at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington. She left behind an 18-month-old son. They celebrated 73 years together. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". Very sad story considering he evaded true justice by taking the coward's way out. Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold, the Pensacola Police Department said in an emotional statement posted on Facebook Thursday. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. All rights reserved. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. The case went nowhere for years, but officers said they used Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. Contributions are suggested to the American 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. Apr 18, 2023; Click for details . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. My Filebox . Once you find the obituary you are looking for, you can get important information about upcoming services, share a favorite photo or memory, and send flowers or gifts to the family. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? 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 Dan is survived by Betsy Wells, his beloved wife of thirty-eight years, children Eric Robert Wells (Billie Wells), Rex Daniel Wells (Trish Quigley), Jane Crowley, and Brent Daines Wells (Rhonda Wells), ten grandchildren and sixteen great . 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. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. 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. Mrs. Ruby Lee Womack, 68, passed away Sept. 16, 2007, at her home in Gautier, Miss., after a long battle with COPD. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. Born in Erie on May 20, 1957, a son of the late Logan and . Your search results for obituary: 10 newspaper articles contained information about obituary filtered by: County: kent, england Date from: 19th Mar 1948 - Date to: 19th Mar 1948 . 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. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. 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. 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. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. 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. Arrest:Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. A legend. Lough borough was appointed assistant . Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal.He's now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. She said she did not have any more information to share. The officers found the victims high heel shoes and her purse, containing her drivers license, a few blocks from the scene. He is being held in Escambia County jail without . . The family will arrive at 10:00am and receive friends at 11:00am, one hour prior to the service. It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. 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. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Tornado Touched Down in Palm Beach Gardens, Leaving Destruction in Its Wake. Kenneth is predeceased by his son David, brothers Donald, Leonard, Paul and his sisters Sheila Gallant, Rita MacIssac, Patsy Arsenault and Eva Kilbride. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. 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. LEONARD WELLS OBITUARY. He was born . Over the last couple of years, police have been comparing DNA profiles left behind at old murder scenes with open-source genealogy databases that have become popular among families hoping to find long-lost relatives. Similar crews held up other Jared stores across U.S. Heubel concussion lawsuit expands as defendant AHN sues UPMC Hamot, Erie County traffic deaths jumped in 2022 as statewide numbers dropped, Erie man charged in assault and shots-fired incident at downtown spot, Meet District 10 baseball's Midseason Breakout Players from 2023, Erie has a bicycle licensing ordinance - but it's about to be repealed, Woman finds permanent home after 13 months at Erie emergency shelter, Vote in the Times-News' high school baseball Breakout Player poll, Remembering Broadway titan, Erie native Jim Wilhelm, Marriage licenses, births: Erie County vital statistics, May 1, 2023, Bills' Hamlin inspires, educates on CPR during youth event in Erie, Erie-area results, game stats for D-10 high school sports: April 24-29, Gov. Police "immediately stopped and recovered the cigarette butt," which had DNA matching semen taken off the victim's body, according to the warrant. Wade, Bessie Wadley, Della Waggener, Nora Alice Waggener, Patrick Henry Waggoner, Lula . After the hit, authorities constructed a family tree, starting with the distant relatives to determine possible offenders. Wells Sr. died Monday, September 23, 2019, at the Life Care Center of Richland at the age of 90. Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. Obituary. Obituary. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. Browse Toledo local obituaries on Legacy.com. 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 . Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he had been a Peninsula . A 57-year-old man has been arrested 35 years after the murder of a young mother in Florida. After spending eight years employed at the Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company in Grand Prairie, Texas, he and . 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. 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 is currently being held without bond at Escambia County Jail. No suspects had been publicly named. We are proud to serve people of all faiths, nationalities, and lifestyles. Visit our Support Center. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. His grandson, Cody Wells, and his sister, Leanna Wells, preceded him in death. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Names are spelled as they appear in the primary source, Bixby Bulletin obituary, and cannot be edited by Bixby Historical Society. Arrangements are under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home . McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. 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 . Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. 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. 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. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. Pallbearers: Mike Wells (brother), Tracey Wells (brother), Fargo Wells (brother), Rick Scites (cousin), Mike Blair (nephew), and Tom Blair (nephew). He helped ensure African Americans had equal access to promotions in the desegregated Milwaukee Police Department. He attended the public schools, Phillips Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth College. No suspects had been publicly named. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced its board of directors approved a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.30 per share, payable June 1, 2023, to stockholders of record on May 5, 2023. . He was a member of Love of God Baptist Church. Bill loved working on cars and was a Master Mason. A total 172 Danville, Pittsylvania County and Halifax County residents were recently named to the Danville Community College vice president . Here's What You Actually Saw, Check Your Change! Wells was living in Olive Branch, Mississippi, about a 30-minute drive from Memphis, where he taught. The contract runs from July 1 until June 30, 2026 and replaces the . With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. The 23-year-old, who was found only partially clothed, had been strangled and sexually assaulted, police said. He is preceded in death by his parents Joy Charles, and Patricia Leonard, and a sister Robin Buck. 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 was just a normal New Years Eve.. 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 . 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. 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. 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. Born February 10, 1942 in Arlington, Massachusetts, he relocated with his family to Tampa, Florida in 1981. Harvey Leslie Arychuk . Harry Daniel Hall. A year later, Wells was arrested for alleged solicitation of prostitution, but its unclear how the case ended. She was later found dead at an empty lot. 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. J NORWOOD Mrs Jane Norwood Mulberry Tree Cottage Gillingham who has died in her 90th year was the widow of Mr John Jur-dan . 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. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. 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. 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. Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. DANIEL LEONARD OBITUARY. The reasons why this happened, how evil crossed Tonyas path, may never be answered and in the end may not be important. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. Eventually, authorities said, the tree led them to identify Wells as a suspect. She was always his favorite," McCall said of this bittersweet day. 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. 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. They also failed to match DNA found at the scene with samples from a national database. 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 cigarette . According to the show, she and her husband reminded Tonya after midnight that it was time to pick up their children and head home. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? HAMPTON - Leonard Daniel Wells of Hampton, Va., died unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at the age of 56. Jim was born in Wadsworth on July 25, 1937 to Ralph Forrest and Bernice (Edis) Eby. Daniel was thankful for his salvation and loved the Lord with all his heart. For 35 years, the family of Tonya Ethridge McKinley anxiously waited for authorities to track down the man who murdered the gregarious 23-year-old, dumping her body on the side of a Florida highway. Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". Beverley Rose Melvin . He was a Lead Electrician at Lockheed Martin and served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. Thomas "Tom" Daniel Wells Jr. 05/30/1930 - 11/07/2019 . 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. Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he had been a Peninsula resident for . Daniel died suddenly on January 29th 2023. 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. "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said in a statement Thursday. Apr 15, 2023 . Obituaries. He was born on January 31, 1946, in Lincoln County, West Virginia, the son of the late Harvey and Doris (Scites) Wells. 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. Mr Wells is an Alabama Air National Guard and Civil Service retiree of over 40 years. Born February 10, 1942 in Arlington, Massachusetts, he relocated with his family to Tampa, Florida in 1981. McKinley, 23, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant. Leonard Wells Obituary Search. 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Thomas "Tom" Daniel Wells Jr., age 89, of Thomasville . As technology advanced, the case was brought back to the forefront. "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. Lets begin then, shall we? Emailus. 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. Lets begin then, shall we? 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. CHAMPLAIN Leonard Wells,a Delaware and Hudson Railroad employee and operator of a service station here, died unexpectedly at his home Wednesday afternoon. We also offer funeral pre-planning and carry a wide selection of caskets, vaults, urns and burial containers. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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. He was born on April 28, 1929, in Grants Pass . He was 95 years old. Leonard Wells, 92, of Grand Haven died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at Heartwood Lodge, Hospice. GenLookups.com - Mississippi Obituary and Death Notice Archive - Page 872. Her case went cold, but Pensacola police remained committed to catching McKinleys killer, and her case was passed around to several detectives over the last 30 years. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. Obituary. Mr. Leonard was born January 6, 1940 in Davidson County to Zelma Daphne Leonard. He was visiting family in Milwaukee when he got sick. Oct 31, 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Their children and Tonyas son were at a late-night daycare facility, and it closed at 1:00 am. A memorial service will be in 2014. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. Survived by his brothers and sisters, Edward (Gillian) Gallant, Florence (Clarence) Galliott, Francis (Donna) Gallant, Phyllis (Ross) Wells, Larry O'Brien and brother-in-law Art Arsenault. $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 . Lenny served in WELLS, John Leonard Jr., Lenny, 42, of Tampa, passed away in a tragic accident Thursday, May 26, 2016. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. Very deeply regretted by his loving parents Noreen and Dan, sister Dawn, brother-in-law Mark, nieces Lily and grace, aunts, uncles, other relatives and . Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Scott Daniel Leonard Sr. aka Frenchy Born on March 20 1961. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. They found a dead body and immediately notified the authorities. 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. 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. Four hours later, a family taking their dog to the vet found her body in an empty lot a block from a highway. 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. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) . I remember reading about this case actually on this subreddit which fascinated me because I was unaware of it despite living in Pensacola, Florida nearly my whole life. Davidson was 18 months old at the time of the murder. Need help? The 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, will never go to trial. Funeral Care Services; Celebrations of Life; In Memory; Place an Obituary; Clear Search Results Search. As Milwaukee mourns the loss of Lenard "Lenny" Wells, those words have come up over and over. He studied law, was admitted to the . She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. John L. "Lenny" Wells, Sr. 02/10/1942 - 08/07/2021. Mr. Daniel Steven Leonard, 35 of Thomasville passed away Thursday, October 6, 2022 at his residence. William "Bill" Daniel Leonard, 82, of Lexington, passed away Monday October 24, 2022 at his home. But DNA in a public database eventually linked McKinley's killer to Wells' family and then to him, police said. Burial will follow the service at Stafford Memorial Park, 154 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford, Virginia. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". 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. Find service information, send flowers, and leave memories and thoughts in the Guestbook for your loved one. Daniel Robert Wells died at his Bay Ridge Annapolis home on January 2, 2023. April 28, 1929 September 23, 2019. Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. He pleaded no contest to the first charge, and the second was eventually dropped. "Until today. 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. The investigation found she had been strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Got a tip? DECATUR - Decatur Public Schools Board of Education has approved a new three-year contract with Superintendent Rochelle Clark. 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..