", Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. McKinley, 23, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. We identified 991 records related to "Daniel Wells" in the state of Florida. 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. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. 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. He got to have a family. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. The investigators had retrieved semen, head hair, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the crime scene. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. 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. 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. May 8, 2022 | In best courses to study in uk for masters | . 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. 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. 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. Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. 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. However, they could not find witnesses who had seen her leave the bar that night. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. 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. 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,. He's now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. Daniel Leonard Wells, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. Explore the listing below to find Daniel's address, relatives, and other public records. He got to have a family. All rights reserved. According to the show, she and her husband reminded Tonya after midnight that it was time to pick up their children and head home. 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. 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. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. The investigation hit numerous dead ends over the years, lasting so long that retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors. 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. 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. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. Discover work experience, company details, and more. Daniel moved out of this 3.5 bath home in 2016. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. 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. ", New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. "(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. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. The drag marks and absence of blood at the scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else. McKinleys son Tim Davidson Jr. called Wells a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial even started.. UNLOCK PROFILE. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. Edited: Suspect in 35-year-old Pensacola cold case solved by familial DNA commits suicide in jail By Tony Adame Pensacola News Journal 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. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. He wasnt going to ever just say what he did on his own.. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. "(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. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. 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. 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. 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. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. 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. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. His age is 60. ". 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. 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 . Pensacola, FL View Full Details Phone Numbers. Daniel Leonard Wells. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. 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. 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. He is being held in Escambia County jail. Top Result for Daniel Wells in Pensacola, FL 1 The best result we found for your search is Daniel Ray Wells age 50s in Fairhope, AL. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on . ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. . On Wednesday, 35 years later, Pensacola police made an arrest in the case: Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is facing charges of. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic hair from Tonya's body and the crime scene. "There are people out there who know (what happened). ADVERTISEMENT He was born on 1-06-1962. Phone & Email (4) All Addresses (7) Family (3) She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. 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. "Nothing could ever make up for losing my mom, but at least now we know what happened to her. Daniel has lived with Polly in Pensacola, FL. 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. Court records viewed by Law&Crime show no attorney of record. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. 9 people named Daniel Wells found in this area: includes Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Milton. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriffs office. "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". "She can finally rest.". Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola. View their profile including current address, phone number 850-584-XXXX, background check reports, and property record on Whitepages, the most trusted online directory. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. She said she did not have any more information to share. Hes now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. Click a city to find Daniel more easily. No suspects had been publicly named. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. 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. 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. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Emailus. After 35 years, an Escambia County man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola. . Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. With the DNA from the cigarette butt, they were able to positively identify Wells' as the man who raped and murdered Tonya in 1985. 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. Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. 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. 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 dead in his cell at Escambia County Sheriff's Office in an apparent suicide Thursday morning. Search for profiles by email and username. Uncover Daniel's photos, videos, and more , Personal details for Daniel may include . Name. Have a tip or story idea? There are 5 court records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". We located 9 sex offenders matching the name "Daniel Wells" in the US. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. 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. 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.". (816) 468-.css-1y2reja{color:transparent;position:relative;z-index:12;text-shadow:0.1rem 0.1rem 0.6rem #089FE4;}LIYF. 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. 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. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. 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. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. 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. Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. 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. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. BREAKING: Daniel Wells -- recently arrested for the 1985 Pensacola New Year's murder of Tonya McKinley -- has committed suicide in jail, deputies confirm. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. From there, investigators said they found Wells and confirmed he was the killer after obtaining a discarded cigarette. IE 11 is not supported. Pensacola, FL View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. She was later found dead at an empty lot. However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. The 1985 killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, say police in Pensacola, Florida. The defendant got to live his life the last 35 years. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. 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. 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. Landlines (4) (850 . 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. Wells is being held without bond at the Escambia County jail. daniel leonard wells pensacola daniel leonard wells pensacola. 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. Daniel and Jennifer have resided together in a single family house in Kansas City, MO. This home is the most recent known address for Daniel. 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