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. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Thats all moot now. 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. Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. We identified 991 records related to "Daniel Wells" in the state of Florida. 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. No suspects had been publicly named. 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. Lets begin then, shall we? He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. Assessor records link the name of Daniel Wells to thirteen properties, including . 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. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. In 1988, he was arrested for solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. He was born on 1-06-1962. "(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 Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. Emailus. Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. She said she did not have any more information to share. 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 "immediately stopped and recovered the cigarette butt," which had DNA matching semen taken off the victim's body, according to the warrant. ADVERTISEMENT "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. 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. Wells was identified . Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic hair from Tonya's body and the crime scene. "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. Name. 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. According to the arrest report, there is a greater than 1 in 700 billion chance that the DNA from the crime scene is a match to anyone other than Wells. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. 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. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. Landlines (4) (850) 584-9629 (816) 584 . 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. Today, the evil that took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested for her brutal murder.". If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. We did this time and time again. 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. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. Daniel has lived with Polly in Pensacola, FL. UNLOCK PROFILE. 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. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. 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. May go by: Dan Leonard Wells Age. Records viewed by Law&Crime show that Wells, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions. 9 people named Daniel Wells found in this area: includes Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Milton. She was later found dead at an empty lot. Have a tip or story idea? Phone & Email (4) All Addresses (7) Family (3) 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. He wasn't going to ever just say what he did on his own., "Nothing could ever make up for losing my mom, but at least now we know what happened to her. 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. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. We found 4 phone numbers and email addresses. Police arrested 57-year-old Daniel Leonard Wells (Escambia County Jail) A 57-year-old man has been arrested 35 years after the murder of a young mother in Florida. Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic from Tonya's body and the crime scene. Daniel is related to Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. He is being held in Escambia County jail. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. There are 5 court records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". Spokeo's database, while extensive, does not contain all U.S. warrant, arrest, court, or other related records. 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. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. 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. 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. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. From there, investigators said they found Wells and confirmed he was the killer after obtaining a discarded cigarette. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. "(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. View their profile including current address, phone number 850-584-XXXX, background check reports, and property record on Whitepages, the most trusted online directory. Current Address: EWZU Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. Their parting exchange was wishing each other New Year greetings, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning. 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. 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. 8 maja 2022. daniel leonard wells pensacola He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone 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. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. After 35 years, an Escambia County man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola. Around three and a half decades later,Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonyas homicide. Uncover Daniel's photos, videos, and more , Personal details for Daniel may include . 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. Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he said. Court records viewed by Law&Crime show no attorney of record. Click a city to find Daniel more easily. 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. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Have a tip or story idea? "It weighed a lot on him. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. Lets begin then, shall we? Pensacola, FL View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. 5 records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". 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. 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. Powerful social search locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. 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. You may have heard that name before. Wells is being held without bond at the Escambia County jail. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. 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. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. ", New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. [emailprotected]. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. They have also lived in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL. From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe, Broward Judge to Allow Rapper Kodak Black to Enter Drug Treatment Program, Ex-UM Football Player Accused of Killing Teammate Granted $850K Bond. Browse . Arrest: Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. 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. ". At the point, the process has become kind of routine. It is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history and the first time the familial DNA method has been used to solve a case in Northwest Florida. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. "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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "(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 defendant got to live his life the last 35 years. We did this time and time again. Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. Daniel Leonard Wells, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said Captain Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. 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