Arrangements are under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home . 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. 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. Bracknell celebrate a goal in their win over Longford last week. It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. Find the obituary of Daniel Edward Wells (1946 - 2023) from Lindale, TX. However, they could not find witnesses who had seen her leave the bar that night. Funeral Care Services; Celebrations of Life; In Memory; Place an Obituary; Clear Search Results Search. 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. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. The contract runs from July 1 until June 30, 2026 and replaces the . ABOUT DIGNITY MEMORIAL ; CONTACT US ; BILL PAY ; PRINT . 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. 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. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. He spent 27 years on . Cold case investigators detained Daniel Wells this week in connection with the killing of 23-year-old . She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. 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. DANIEL LEONARD OBITUARY. 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. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. He was visiting family in Milwaukee when he got sick. He was charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya Ethridge McKinley." 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. Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he said. "It weighed a lot on him. Visit our Support Center. He was married to Rheva Jo Nichols in Bonham, Texas, on April 10, 1948. David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. I cant believe this day has finally arrived, Tonya Ethridge McKinleys sister said on Thursday. There was even an audio recording of the victim's son being informed of the arrest (which is quite hard to listen to). The cutting-edge forensic technology helped authorities identify multiple people as distant cousins of the suspect. Harvey Leslie Arychuk . McKinley was last seen alive celebrating New Years Eve around 1:30 a.m. at Darryls Bar & Grille in Pensacola, while her 18-month-old son was waiting for her at home. Harry Daniel Hall. Kentucky obituaries and death notices, 1988 to 2023. He was born on April 28, 1929, in Grants Pass . 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 investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. We are proud to serve people of all faiths, nationalities, and lifestyles. Obituary. After spending eight years employed at the Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company in Grand Prairie, Texas, he and . He was born on January 31, 1946, in Lincoln County, West Virginia, the son of the late Harvey and Doris (Scites) Wells. McKinley in Pensacola, Florida, on the first day of 1985. Lenny served in WELLS, John Leonard Jr., Lenny, 42, of Tampa, passed away in a tragic accident Thursday, May 26, 2016. Picture by Phillip Biggs. 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 . This booking photo provided by Escambia County Corrections shows Daniel Wells. Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he had been a Peninsula . 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. 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. But for most of the time, they had no suspect in the killing of McKinley, who was survived by an 18-month-old son. Born in Erie on May 20, 1957, a son of the late Logan and . 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. 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. John L. "Lenny" Wells, Sr. 02/10/1942 - 08/07/2021. They celebrated 73 years together. He was born on . 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 Leonard Wells, 57 . Mr. Leonard was born January 6, 1940 in Davidson County to Zelma Daphne Leonard. Searching obituaries is a great place to start your family tree research. Her case went cold, but Pensacola police remained committed to catching McKinleys killer, and her case was passed around to several detectives over the last 30 years. Home; Obituaries; Death Notices . Daniel Wheelwright Gooch (January 8, 1820 - November 1, 1891) was a United States representative from . 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. Get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts. All Obituaries - Wells Funeral Homes, Inc. & Cremation Services offers a variety of funeral services, from traditional funerals to competitively priced cremations, serving Waynesville, NC and the surrounding communities. 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. Have a tip or story idea? Late of Ballinacurra Gardens and Rathbane, Limerick. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 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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. He has been charged with murder and sexual battery. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". . Emailus. 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. Leonard A Wells Sr. died Monday, September 23, 2019, at the Life Care Center of Richland at the age of 90. 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.. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. Mrs. Ruby Lee Womack, 68, passed away Sept. 16, 2007, at her home in Gautier, Miss., after a long battle with COPD. He is currently being held without bond at Escambia County Jail. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, according to the Pensacola News Journal. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. David Charles Fryberg Sr. David Charles December 30, 1941 - Fryberg Sr. February 14, 2023 David Charles Fryberg Sr., 81, passed away on February 14, 2023 surrounded by his family. Wade, Bessie Wadley, Della Waggener, Nora Alice Waggener, Patrick Henry Waggoner, Lula . A legend. 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. The emergency squad of the Champlain Fire Department received a call for a resuscitator shortly after 4:40. Skip to main content (800) 896-5587. Leonard Charles Wells was born April 25, 1940, to Alfred and Madelyn (Van Oss) Wells in White Earth, Minn. As a young boy, his parents moved to Portland to seek employment. 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. . The 23-year-old, who was found only partially clothed, had been strangled and sexually assaulted, police said. Apr 19, 2023; Click for details . J NORWOOD Mrs Jane Norwood Mulberry Tree Cottage Gillingham who has died in her 90th year was the widow of Mr John Jur-dan . Arrest:Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. Thomas "Tom" Daniel Wells Jr. 05/30/1930 - 11/07/2019 . He was a member of Love of God Baptist Church. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. 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. The family will arrive at 10:00am and receive friends at 11:00am, one hour prior to the service. 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 was predeceased by : his parents, Lillie Hodge Wells and Louis . He attended the public schools, Phillips Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth College. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. According to the show, she and her husband reminded Tonya after midnight that it was time to pick up their children and head home. 0. Florida man linked by DNA to 1985 murder found dead in cell. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. 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. 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. Entombment will be in OLPH Cemetery, Belle Chasse, LA. Around three and a half decades later,Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonyas homicide. 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 . Obituary. 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. Obituary. April 28, 1929 September 23, 2019. Bill loved working on cars and was a Master Mason. Harry Daniel Hall, 66, of Medina, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023. 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. http://www.northescambia.com/2020/04/suspect-recently-arrested-in-35-year-old-cold-case-murder-commits-suicide-in-jail. 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. TSL and NTFA football teams for the weekend of April 29. She was a retired assistant manager for Jerry Lees Grocery . 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 . 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. Daniel died suddenly on January 29th 2023. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. . Wells, 69, died Saturday from complications of COVID-19. The57-year-old pleaded not guilty on March 24 and was set for an arraignment in the first week of April. That Wasn't a Meteorite in the South Florida Sky Sunday Night. McKinleys son Tim Davidson Jr. called Wells a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial even started.. Pensacola detectives arrested Wells on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 and charged him with the slaying of Tonya McKinley, 23, whose body was found before dawn on New Year's Day 1985. 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. Daniel was thankful for his salvation and loved the Lord with all his heart. Very sad story considering he evaded true justice by taking the coward's way out. Obituary. It wasn't immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday. Authorities said a man arrested last month in a 35-year-old Florida Panhandle slaying has been found dead in jail from an apparent suicide Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. McKinley, 23, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant. His grandson, Cody Wells, and his sister, Leanna Wells, preceded him in death. HAMPTON - Leonard Daniel Wells of Hampton, Va., died unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at the age of 56. 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. $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 . Leonard Wells, 92, of Grand Haven died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at Heartwood Lodge, Hospice. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 Friday at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington. 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. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. He pleaded no contest to the first charge, and the second was eventually dropped. Find your ancestry info and recent death notices for relatives and friends. 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. 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. 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. Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold, the Pensacola Police Department said in an emotional statement posted on Facebook Thursday. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Take a Look, Police Reunite Parents With Toddler Found Wandering at 3 AM in Miramar. All rights reserved. The death has occurred of Daniel Leonard (Junior) Ballinacurra Gardens, Ballinacurra, Limerick. God is good. 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. Lenard "Lenny" Wells died March 21 at age 69 of complications from the coronavirus. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. We did this time and time again. Let others know about your loved one's death. Funeral Services for Sidney Bain, 62. a resident of Warren St. Oakes Field, will be held at St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral, West Street, on Tuesday, May02, 2023 at 11:00 am. The investigation found she had been strangled to death and sexually assaulted. She was the best sister a girl could ask for, her older sister, Renee Ethridge, told The Daily Beast. (Escambia County Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. She said she did not have any more information to share. 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. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website, Leonard Wells, age 76, of Stafford, Virginia passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at his daughters residence. Contributions are suggested to the American 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. 8:32 a.m.: David Chapple-Kerry Miller; Shane Larsson-Junior Flores Powered by WordPress.com VIP. A total 172 Danville, Pittsylvania County and Halifax County residents were recently named to the Danville Community College vice president . They found a dead body and immediately notified the authorities. 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. 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.
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