The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. "It weighed a lot on him. His grandson, Cody Wells, and his sister, Leanna Wells, preceded him in death. 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 W. Gooch - Wikipedia (Escambia County Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Their children and Tonyas son were at a late-night daycare facility, and it closed at 1:00 am. He pleaded no contest to the first charge, and the second was eventually dropped. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. 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. We did this time and time again. See all obituaries for Daniel Wells. . "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. He was a Lead Electrician at Lockheed Martin and served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. All Obituaries | Wells Funeral Homes, Inc. & Cremation Services Eventually, authorities said, the tree led them to identify Wells as a suspect. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. A memorial service will be in 2014. Tonya Ethridge McKinley Cold Case Has Been Solved: Cops - Law & Crime Florida Man Linked by DNA to 1985 Murder Found Dead in Cell Leonard A. 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. IE 11 is not supported. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. We did this time and time again, the department said in their statement. Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. Fifth Flight (East and North) 8:24 a.m.: Nick Maschas-Michael Gilbert; Randy Greer-Dave Robbins. Wells was booked into the Escambia County Jail on Wednesday and held without bail. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. 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. . was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. Visit our Support Center. He was held without bond at Escambia County Jail and made his court appearance the following morning, where he professed his innocence. Need help? Harry Daniel Hall. The 23-year-old, who was found only partially clothed, had been strangled and sexually assaulted, police said. He is survived by his brother Claude Wells, Leonard Wells, age 76, of Stafford, Virginia passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at his daughters residence. 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.. I cant believe this day has finally arrived.. Brookside Funeral Home & Crematory. 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. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. 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. Thomas "Tom" Daniel Wells Jr., age 89, of Thomasville . 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 . "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. The investigators interviewed several partygoers to learn the last time anyone had seen Tonya alive was around 1:15 am. Daniel Wheelwright Gooch (January 8, 1820 - November 1, 1891) was a United States representative from . Born February 10, 1942 in Arlington, Massachusetts, he relocated with his family to Tampa, Florida in 1981. Obituaries - - - - - All . After the hit, authorities constructed a family tree, starting with the distant relatives to determine possible offenders. Man arrested over 1985 murder after police DNA test cigarette The investigators had retrieved semen, head hair, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the crime scene. 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. 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. 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. Obituary. Daniel Leonard Wells - Expeditionary Contracting Officer - LinkedIn 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. Apr 18, 2023; Click for details . Mississippi Obituary and Death Notice Archive "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said in a statement Thursday. Houston Chronicle Obituaries (1985 - 2023) - Houston, TX - ObitsArchive Harry Daniel Hall, 66, of Medina, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Leonard Wells | Obituary | grandhaventribune.com McCall said she's pleased about the arrest in her sister's case but saddened that her dad died a decade ago without knowing that his daughter's alleged killer would someday be caught. TSL and NTFA football teams for the weekend of April 29 That Wasn't a Meteorite in the South Florida Sky Sunday Night. Daniel Leonard Obituary (1940 - 2020) - Charleston, SC - Charleston Leonard Wells | Obituaries | thechronicleonline.com 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. Dan Johnson Wells was born in Yarnaby, Oklahoma, on March 26, 1928, to Glover Delon and Josie Ella (Johnson) Wells. 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. Detectives laid fresh eyes on all of the evidence, new theories were presented, and hopes of catching Tonyas killer were renewed.. Have a tip or story idea? CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. I cant believe this day has finally arrived, Tonya Ethridge McKinleys sister said on Thursday. Daniel Brown sold property at 8005 Thon Drive to James Donald Shults for $130,000. Find your ancestry info and recent death notices for relatives and friends. Florida man linked by DNA to 1985 murder found dead in cell. Obituary for Dan Wells | Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home 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. Last of 2 defendants has been sentenced in Erie for robbing Jared store near Millcreek Mall. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. James Forrest Eby, 85, of Seville, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 after a lengthy battle with Huntington's Disease. Toledo Obituaries | Local Obits for Toledo, OH - Legacy.com Burial will follow the service at Stafford Memorial Park, 154 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford, Virginia. DANIEL LEONARD OBITUARY. Take a Look, Police Reunite Parents With Toddler Found Wandering at 3 AM in Miramar. Daniel Steven Leonard Obituary (1986 - 2022) - Echovita She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Milwaukee coronavirus victim Lenard Wells leaves lasting legacy in MPD Wells was living in Olive Branch, Mississippi, about a 30-minute drive from Memphis, where he taught. Decatur school board approves new contract for Superintendent Rochelle Social Security Death Index (SSDI) . As Milwaukee mourns the loss of Lenard "Lenny" Wells, those words have come up over and over. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. 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. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. McKinley in Pensacola, Florida, on the first day of 1985. A year later, Wells was arrested for alleged solicitation of prostitution, but its unclear how the case ended. $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 . Kentucky Obituaries Archives Online | Obits Archive 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. His arrest marks the beginning of the end of the oldest cold case in Pensacola history. Obituary Surnames Beginning With W | Bixby Historical Society Daniel A. Wells Obituary - Erie Times-News 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. He was born . 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 . 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. http://www.northescambia.com/2020/04/suspect-recently-arrested-in-35-year-old-cold-case-murder-commits-suicide-in-jail. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. HAMPTON - Leonard Daniel Wells of Hampton, Va., died unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at the age of 56. 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. The investigation found she had been strangled to death and sexually assaulted. The cutting-edge forensic technology helped authorities identify multiple people as distant cousins of the suspect. From there, investigators said they found Wells and confirmed he was the killer after obtaining a discarded cigarette. However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. Born in Erie on May 20, 1957, a son of the late Logan and . Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. Find the obituary of Daniel Edward Wells (1946 - 2023) from Lindale, TX. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57 . Browse Toledo local obituaries on Legacy.com. Lenny served in WELLS, John Leonard Jr., Lenny, 42, of Tampa, passed away in a tragic accident Thursday, May 26, 2016. Kenneth Gallant | Obituary | Sharing Memories Leonard Wells Obituary Search. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. 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 . Daniel was thankful for his salvation and loved the Lord with all his heart. Jim was born in Wadsworth on July 25, 1937 to Ralph Forrest and Bernice (Edis) Eby. 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Jean Carroll civil rape case, Prosecutors seek death penalty against plastic surgeon accused of murdering missing lawyer who represented former employer in suit, 'This was not a random act': Person of interest in custody after Detroit neurosurgeon found shot in head and wrapped in blanket, 'I'm sorry. Snippet of text from article above: "The Escambia County Sheriff's 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. Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". 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. Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he had been a Peninsula resident for . NBC 6 - Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his - Facebook However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was also. The officers found the victims high heel shoes and her purse, containing her drivers license, a few blocks from the scene. He is survived by his wife, Victoria, the light and joy of his life; his two-year-old LEO GREGORY WELLS Leo Gregory Wells, 79, of Grandview, MO passed away the day before his birthday on Nov. 27, 2013. 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. 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. No suspects had been publicly named. The 1985 killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, say police in Pensacola, Florida. Lenard Wells dies; Milwaukee police leader ensured racial equality "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. Today, the evil that took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested for her brutal murder.". Mr Wells is an Alabama Air National Guard and Civil Service retiree of over 40 years. Apr 15, 2023 . You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Leonard Wells (1904-1960) - Find a Grave Memorial 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. Daniel Wells Obituary - Annapolis, MD J NORWOOD Mrs Jane Norwood Mulberry Tree Cottage Gillingham who has died in her 90th year was the widow of Mr John Jur-dan . She said she did not have any more information to share. Obituary | Bill Daniel Leonard | Davidson Funeral Home 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 . 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. . Davidson was 18 months old at the time of the murder. 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. 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. 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 . 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 . Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning . She was born May 8, 1929, in Greensboro, Ala. Mrs. Womack was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. 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. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, according to the Pensacola News Journal. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Names are spelled as they appear in the primary source, Bixby Bulletin obituary, and cannot be edited by Bixby Historical Society. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in . 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. As technology advanced, the case was brought back to the forefront. Marysville Obituaries | Local Obits for Marysville, WA - Legacy.com 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. He was visiting family in Milwaukee when he got sick. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. William "Bill" Daniel Leonard, 82, of Lexington, passed away Monday October 24, 2022 at his home. 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.. Sign up for service and obituary updates. 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. Arrest:Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. East suburban real estate transactions, week of April 30, 2023 John L. "Lenny" Wells, Sr. 02/10/1942 - 08/07/2021. Picture by Phillip Biggs. 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. 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. . Died October, 27 2022 in Ponca, NE. But DNA in a public database eventually linked McKinley's killer to Wells' family and then to him, police said. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. 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. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime.