Contributions are suggested to the American 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. Her partially nude body was found on the side of Peak Drive near Scenic Highway about four hours after she was last seen alive at Darryls Restaurant behind what was then University Mall. Daniel died suddenly on January 29th 2023. 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. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. But for most of the time, they had no suspect in the killing of McKinley, who was survived by an 18-month-old son. Wells was charged Wednesday evening with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery for the January 1, 1985, murder of McKinley, according to the Pensacola Police Department. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in . Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Daniel Leonard Wells - Expeditionary Contracting Officer - LinkedIn A legend. The 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, will never go to trial. Bill loved working on cars and was a Master Mason. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. McKinley, 23, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant. Find service information, send flowers, and leave memories and thoughts in the Guestbook for your loved one. ". 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. Apr 18, 2023; Click for details . He was a Lead Electrician at Lockheed Martin and served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. A 57-year-old man has been arrested 35 years after the murder of a young mother in Florida. Lets begin then, shall we? Obituaries. He is preceded in death by his parents Joy Charles, and Patricia Leonard, and a sister Robin Buck. Frenchy's obituary. 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. The investigation found she had been strangled to death and sexually assaulted. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Here's What You Actually Saw, Check Your Change! He was held without bond at Escambia County Jail and made his court appearance the following morning, where he professed his innocence. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. [emailprotected]. Daniel Wheelwright Gooch (January 8, 1820 - November 1, 1891) was a United States representative from . Records viewed by Law&Crime show that Wells, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday. TSL and NTFA football teams for the weekend of April 29. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, according to the Pensacola News Journal. Four hours later, a family taking their dog to the vet found her body in an empty lot a block from a highway. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. Lenard Wells dies; Milwaukee police leader ensured racial equality Apr 21, 2023; Click for details . Detectives laid fresh eyes on all of the evidence, new theories were presented, and hopes of catching Tonyas killer were renewed.. 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 Sr. died Monday, September 23, 2019, at the Life Care Center of Richland at the age of 90. Daniel was born October 25, 1986 in Davidson County to Steven Curtis Leonard and Linda Ann Smith Bell. Results for 'obituary' | Between 8th Jan 1969 and 14th Jan 1969 Daniel Leonard Wells Found Dead: Authorities | Law & Crime Born February 10, 1942 in Arlington, Massachusetts, he relocated with his family to Tampa, Florida in 1981. Kentucky Obituaries Archives Online | Obits Archive Police "immediately stopped and recovered the cigarette butt," which had DNA matching semen taken off the victim's body, according to the warrant. "It weighed a lot on him. Obituary for Dan Wells | Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home Subscribe Sign In Try for a limited time! William "Bill" Daniel Leonard, 82, of Lexington, passed away Monday October 24, 2022 at his home. 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. . 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. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Daniel Edward Wells of Lindale, Texas, born in Longview, Texas, who passed away on January 11, 2023 at the age of 76. . Obituaries Search for Daniel Wells - dignitymemorial.com The emergency squad of the Champlain Fire Department received a call for a resuscitator shortly after 4:40. 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. 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. Home; Obituaries; Death Notices . After spending eight years employed at the Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company in Grand Prairie, Texas, he and . She was born May 8, 1929, in Greensboro, Ala. Mrs. Womack was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. Daniel Steven Leonard Obituary. He was born on April 28, 1929, in Grants Pass . A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. Houston Chronicle Obituaries (1985 - 2023) - Houston, TX - ObitsArchive Footy is back and The Examiner will once again . 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. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. Leonard Wells, age 76, of Stafford, Virginia passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at his daughter's residence. No suspects had been publicly named. Arrangements are under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home . Obituary. Leonard Wells, 75, of Waubun, Minn., lost his courageous battle to cancer on June 8, 2015, at his home under Hospice care of the Red River Valley. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. 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. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Obituary. 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. She was a retired assistant manager for Jerry Lees Grocery . Daniel J. Leonard Charleston - Daniel Joseph Leonard, a teacher to thousands, a mentor, friend, and role model to many, died July 14, 2020, at Summerville Community Hospice. 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. I love you': Chilling note found at murder scene after husband allegedly drives 500 miles to tell mom he shot and killed his wife, I do not want this on record: Texas substitute teacher caught encouraging student fights on video immediately fired and jailed, Burning body found in open field after bystander initially believed it to be a mannequin: This is a jarring scene, Repeat offender who has cost taxpayers millions by eating metal from jail cells hes occupied is headed back to the clink, Federal judge orders Missouri woman who faked death of famous Hollywood chimp to pay PETA $224,000, Inmates who escaped jail through a hole cut with toothbrush and metal object arrested at IHOP, Florida man goes on naked stroll, tells officers hes from a different earth: Police. 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 . Obituaries Search for Leonard Wells - Dignity Memorial Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. However, forensic science was yet to evolve in 1985, and with the police having no leads or suspects, the case went cold. Cook County property transfers for March 1-28, 2023 Select boxes below to reduce the number of results. HAMPTON - Leonard Daniel Wells of Hampton, Va., died unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at the age of 56. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. He was predeceased by : his parents, Lillie Hodge Wells and Louis . His arrest marks the beginning of the end of the oldest cold case in Pensacola history. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. We are proud to serve people of all faiths, nationalities, and lifestyles. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriffs office. 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. Skip to main content (800) 896-5587. Toledo Obituaries | Local Obits for Toledo, OH - Legacy.com "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. Pallbearers: Mike Wells (brother), Tracey Wells (brother), Fargo Wells (brother), Rick Scites (cousin), Mike Blair (nephew), and Tom Blair (nephew). Obituary for Daniel Steven Leonard | J. C. Green & Sons Funeral Home Mrs. Ruby Lee Womack, 68, passed away Sept. 16, 2007, at her home in Gautier, Miss., after a long battle with COPD. Funeral services will be held at 12:00pm, Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 186 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford, Virginia. Leonard Wells | Obituary | grandhaventribune.com It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Daniel Steven Leonard of Thomasville, North Carolina, born in Davidson, North Carolina, who passed away on October 6, 2022, at the age of 35, leaving to mourn family and friends. The drag marks and absence of blood at the scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else. Florida man linked by DNA to 1985 murder found dead in cell. 04272023 OBITUARIES by tribune242 - Issuu What is important is that no one forgot Tonya.. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. He was a Lead Electrician at Lockheed Martin and served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. ABOUT DIGNITY MEMORIAL ; CONTACT US ; BILL PAY ; PRINT . The 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, will never go to trial.Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida.This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. He was charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya Ethridge McKinley. He was born on January 31, 1946, in Lincoln County, West Virginia, the son of the late Harvey and Doris (Scites) Wells. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". Kenneth is predeceased by his son David, brothers Donald, Leonard, Paul and his sisters Sheila Gallant, Rita MacIssac, Patsy Arsenault and Eva Kilbride. 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 . Bracknell celebrate a goal in their win over Longford last week. Death Notice of Daniel Leonard (Junior) - rip.ie "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said in a statement Thursday. Obituaries. Fifth Flight (East and North) 8:24 a.m.: Nick Maschas-Michael Gilbert; Randy Greer-Dave Robbins. 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. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was also. Suspect in 35-year-old Pensacola cold case solved by familial DNA Leonard D. Wells, aka Bill, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Landmark Care Center, four days after his 92nd birthday. 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. A trailblazer. Lenny served in WELLS, John Leonard Jr., Lenny, 42, of Tampa, passed away in a tragic accident Thursday, May 26, 2016. 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 - Stafford, VA Mr. Daniel Steven Leonard, 35 of Thomasville passed away Thursday, October 6, 2022 at his residence. I cant believe this day has finally arrived, Tonya Ethridge McKinleys sister said on Thursday. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. Kentucky obituaries and death notices, 1988 to 2023. Around three and a half decades later,Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonyas homicide. 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 . 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. Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm MDT. http://www.northescambia.com/2020/04/suspect-recently-arrested-in-35-year-old-cold-case-murder-commits-suicide-in-jail. 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 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. 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. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Florida man linked by DNA to 1985 murder found dead in cell "Until today. She left behind an 18-month-old son. I cant believe this day has finally arrived.. His grandson, Cody Wells, and his sister, Leanna Wells, preceded him in death. Green Tree Jamboree scores and tee times 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.