Investigators nationwide say the genetics company have aided in solving cold cases. 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. ADVERTISEMENT He was born on 1-06-1962. McKinley, 23, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. "(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. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Around three and a half decades later,Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonyas homicide. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. "She can finally rest.". 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. David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. [emailprotected]. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. After 35 years, an Escambia County man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. Email Address: See available information. Their children and Tonyas son were at a late-night daycare facility, and it closed at 1:00 am. May 8, 2022 | In best courses to study in uk for masters | . The case went nowhere for years, but officers said they used Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case. The investigators had retrieved semen, head hair, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the crime scene. 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. "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. The 1985 killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, say police in Pensacola, Florida. Daniel Leonard Wells, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. 8 maja 2022. daniel leonard wells pensacola The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest . "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. Cops said they confirmed he was their suspect by getting his DNA from a discarded cigarette. 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. "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said in a statement Thursday. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. From there, investigators said they found Wells and confirmed he was the killer after obtaining a discarded cigarette. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Court records viewed by Law&Crime show no attorney of record. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. Spokeo's database, while extensive, does not contain all U.S. warrant, arrest, court, or other related records. 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. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at Darryls Bar & Grille. A video appearance was scheduled for court to take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. From there, Pensacola police, FDLE and Parabon constructed a family tree, starting with the distant relatives, that eventually led them to identify Wells as a suspect. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. He is being held.. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. He got to have a family. In 1988, he was arrested for solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. Daniel moved out of this 3.5 bath home in 2016. Their parting exchange was wishing each other New Year greetings, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning. 50s Location. 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. 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. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. I'm positive of that.". 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. 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,. 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. 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. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. Lets begin then, shall we? "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. 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. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". 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. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. Powerful social search locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc. The investigation hit numerous dead ends over the years, lasting so long that retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors. 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. He's now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. 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. 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. daniel leonard wells pensacola daniel leonard wells pensacola. 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. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. 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. 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. 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. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. "She can finally rest.". Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he said. It wasn't immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. 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. 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. Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. 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. She said she did not have any more information to share. The presence or absence of records for any individual is not a guarantee of any kind. 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. ", New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. UNLOCK PROFILE. According to court records, Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 on battery and witness tampering charges, but the witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. The drag marks and absence of blood at the scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else. 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, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. Check out The Morning News to get the latest news, weather and traffic in Central Florida. PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola. The investigators interviewed several partygoers to learn the last time anyone had seen Tonya alive was around 1:15 am. She said she did not have any more information to share. Today, the evil that took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested for her brutal murder.". Assessor records link the name of Daniel Wells to thirteen properties, including . Phone Numbers. 3,876 court search results for people named "Daniel Wells" in the United States. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found dead in his cell at Escambia County Sheriff's Office in an apparent suicide Thursday morning. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. 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. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. The officers found the victims high heel shoes and her purse, containing her drivers license, a few blocks from the scene. "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said Captain Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. 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. 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. Name. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. Search for birth, death, marriage, divorce, US Census, and military records. 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. Thats all moot now. Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. With the DNA from the cigarette butt, they were able to positively identify Wells' as the man who raped and murdered Tonya in 1985. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? She had been fatally strangled, and sexually assaulted, police said. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. 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. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. 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. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Emailus. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. 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. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. Landlines (4) (850) 584-9629 (816) 584 . There are 5 court records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". The price to rent a two bedroom unit in the zip code 32526 is around . For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. 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. Daniel has lived in a single family house in Liberty, MO with Mary. Landlines (4) (850 . "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said PPD Capt. 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. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. View Dan Rowdy Wells's record in Pensacola, FL including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. He wasnt going to ever just say what he did on his own.. https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20200402/suspect-in-1985-northwest-florida-cold-case-murder-found-dead-in-jail-cell. 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. The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. Pensacola, FL View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. Wells was identified . His age is 60. 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. But DNA in a public database eventually linked McKinley's killer to Wells' family and then to him, police said. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. 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. More than anything, Renee said, Tonya loved her then-18-month-old son, Timothy Davidson Jr., who family members affectionately referred to as Timbo when he was a child. Have a tip or story idea? At the point, the process has become kind of routine. 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. They found a dead body and immediately notified the authorities. Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. 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. "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? Search for profiles by email and username. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriffs office. 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. 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. Police "immediately stopped and recovered the cigarette butt," which had DNA matching semen taken off the victim's body, according to the warrant. 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. 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. Explore the listing below to find Daniel's address, relatives, and other public records. They have also lived in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL. Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. He wasn't going to ever just say what he did on his own. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. Uncover Daniel's photos, videos, and more , Personal details for Daniel may include . Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. . More than anything, Renee said, Tonya loved her then-18-month-old son, Timothy Davidson Jr., who family members affectionately referred to as Timbo when he was a child. . Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Have a tip or story idea? 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. "There are people out there who know (what happened). Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic from Tonya's body and the crime scene. Results for this person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results. We located 9 sex offenders matching the name "Daniel Wells" in the US. McKinleys son Tim Davidson Jr. called Wells a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial even started.. 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. McKinley in Pensacola, Florida, on the first day of 1985. No suspects had been publicly named. Current Address: EWZU Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. 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. 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