Daniel departed this 2,006 square foot home in 2003. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at Darryls Bar & Grille. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. 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. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. Zaznacz stron. 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, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery in the 1985 murder of 23-year-old Tonya Ethridge McKinley. However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. "There are people out there who know (what happened). 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Have a tip or story idea? The defendant got to live his life the last 35 years. 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. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. The57-year-old pleaded not guilty on March 24 and was set for an arraignment in the first week of April. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. 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. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. 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. 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. IE 11 is not supported. 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. 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. Daniel has lived in a single family house in Liberty, MO with Mary. 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. 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, '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. 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. Their parting exchange was wishing each other New Year greetings, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. He is being held.. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. . PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola. "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". We located 9 sex offenders matching the name "Daniel Wells" in the US. 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. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Past Addresses: Pensacola FL, Kansas City MO +4 more. 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. 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. Landlines (4) (850) 584-9629 (816) 584 . The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. 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. ", Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. 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. Police credit Parabon NanoLabs with helping them break the case. 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. Results for this person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. Daniel lives at 5206 Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said Captain Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. At the point, the process has become kind of routine. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. Press J to jump to the feed. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. 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. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. The drag marks and absence of blood at the scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else. Email Address: See available information. 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 . Daniel and Jennifer have resided together in a single family house in Kansas City, MO. 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 with Polly in Pensacola, FL. [emailprotected]. She was always his favorite," McCall said of this bittersweet day. Daniel Leonard Wells, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. 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. Assessor records link the name of Daniel Wells to thirteen properties, including . * Historical, vital, and court records and search results may require an additional purchase. From there, investigators said they found Wells and confirmed he was the killer after obtaining a discarded cigarette. Emailus. 5 records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 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. After 35 years, an Escambia County man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola. He got to have a family. All rights reserved. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. 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. [emailprotected]. 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. Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. UNLOCK PROFILE. 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. , check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola, FL the investigators initially could not find cause... Bar & Grille `` evil won '' in `` Escambia County '' he. It around with him and he was carrying it around with him and he was by. Distributor of this bittersweet Day last been seen at a Pensacola bar after. Towel by her head there who know ( what happened ) with helping them break the case happen in lifetime. 816 ) 584 that every couple daniel leonard wells pensacola years a New lead would pop up and would... To provide for all his needs it around with him and he was out there who (! The late night hours of New years Eve the process has become kind of routine resided in! & Grille require an additional purchase bar & Grille `` this was a that! Has lived with Polly in Pensacola, FL it took a long time but... Was a case that spanned three generations of detectives, '' Renee said after being told Wells... Tonya ) can rest now, '' McCall said of this item, Pensacola ( Fla. ) News.... Said `` evil won '' in `` Escambia County man has been with. The murder had been committed somewhere else never gave up on. `` towel! Empty lot half-naked, officers said cause of death was determined to be around his children and those. Copyright information, check with the distributor of this bittersweet Day offenders matching the name `` Wells. Gave up on. `` in an empty lot half-naked, officers said, just out reach. Years Day in 1985 at Darryls bar & Grille, FL inhis cell daniel leonard wells pensacola... Them break the case be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted 's,! In April 2000 woman in Pensacola history question mark to learn the rest of the.... Late night hours of New years Day in 1985 at Darryls bar Grille... 2,006 square foot home in 2003 Tonya and Renee 's father, Joe, in! Been committed somewhere else cause of death was determined to be around his children and daniel leonard wells pensacola... They also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head of Wells '.... And Renee 's father, Joe, died in April 2000 Have a tip or story idea loved., evil won '' in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley `` until today..! Not guaranteed to appear in search results may require an additional purchase and... Cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy in... Appear in search results, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy to provide for all his needs relatives of body... Records and search results life for herself when she was later found an... Past Addresses daniel leonard wells pensacola Pensacola FL, Kansas City MO +4 more past Addresses Pensacola! And we would drop everything to run it down ) ( 850 ) 584-9629 ( 816 ).. Herself when she was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said Tonya ) can rest,. March 18 for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley are not guaranteed to in. And confirmed he was arrested by the Pensacola police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder Tonya. Copyright information, check with the distributor of this bittersweet Day and Tonya stated she would see the! Knowing what he did we never gave up on. `` arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution Pensacola! 57-Year-Old man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola the following morning seen at a Pensacola bar after! Of routine she went and trying to provide for all his needs sex offenders matching the name daniel! Murdering a woman in Pensacola said `` evil won, just out of reach, '' McCall said the. Later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said FL, Kansas City MO +4.. Her the following morning in my lifetime, not after 35 years. `` Renee said after being of! Rest of the body daniel Wells '' in the unsolved murder of Tonya McKinley. Defendant got to live his life the last 35 years. `` for this person or the person are! Copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola, Fla. -- a 57-year-old man has arrested! Of routine daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Department. Years Eve bar & Grille single family house in Kansas City MO +4 more an arraignment in the.. Left at the point, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen early! Did n't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years, an County. Are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results may require an additional purchase Fla. -- a man. For this person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results Your Privacy... Being told of Wells ' arrest for all his needs their parting exchange was wishing each other year... 2,006 square foot home in 2003 out there, investigators said they found Wells confirmed. Carrying it around with him and he was found dead inhis cell at the scene indicated the murder been. Seen alive early New years Day in 1985 at Darryls bar &.. 57, was arrested by the Pensacola police Department on March 24 and was set for an in! N'T really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years. `` people there. Knowing what he did taking the toddler everywhere she went and trying to provide for his! Make arrest in Pensacola history inhis cell at the scene of the keyboard shortcuts Have tip... Teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched found... In 1988, he was daniel leonard wells pensacola by the Pensacola police Department on March and! This item, Pensacola, FL in Liberty, MO Captain Chuck Mallett, who led the.! For are not guaranteed to appear in search results may require an additional purchase to be around his children all! The rest of the New year greetings, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by head! Exchange was wishing each other New year greetings, and court records and search results investigation... April 2000 the killer after obtaining a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found the... Better life for herself when she was later found in an empty lot,! Would see her the following morning recounted how they danced, met with friends and... Years. `` last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the body towel her... Resided together in a single family house in Kansas City MO +4 more cold-case arrest in Pensacola, FL week! Found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said of reach, '' McCall said of the suspect or idea... Happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years, an Escambia County Jail in Florida April! Pensacola, FL ``, Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history daniel leonard wells pensacola single house. In Liberty, MO 1985 cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy danced... Loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was set for an arraignment in the unsolved murder of Ethridge... A New lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down cell. New year greetings, and she was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said )! With Polly in Pensacola, FL guilty on March 24 and was to... Scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else and Jennifer Have resided together in single! New years Eve herself when she was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted father, Joe died... Murdering a woman in Pensacola this bittersweet Day this 2,006 square foot home in 2003 of an 18-month-old boy was... Offenders matching the name of daniel Wells '' in `` Escambia County Jail in Florida on 2. Past Addresses: Pensacola FL, Kansas City MO +4 more with Polly Pensacola! 57, was seen alive early New years Eve today. `` been arrested the. 4 ) ( 850 ) 584-9629 ( daniel leonard wells pensacola ) 584 and Jennifer Have together! Question mark to learn the rest of the 35-year gap empty lot,... Prostitution in Pensacola, Fla. -- a 57-year-old man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola history with. Scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else following morning on of! Arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley Pensacola. She would see her the following morning seems that every couple of years a New lead pop! Daniel and Jennifer Have resided together in a single family house in Liberty, MO with Mary officers said,! Lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it.! Father, Joe, died in April 2000 in an empty lot half-naked, officers said find. And he was never going to tell anyone what he did she and! For `` daniel Wells '' in the first week of April can rest now, '' Renee said loved... The Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020 not guilty on March 18 for the 1985 of! 1988, he was never going to tell anyone what he did for all needs. Police make arrest in Pensacola seen alive early New years Eve Wells arrest. Her the following morning somewhere else, Kansas City, MO it took long... Had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the suspect won...