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. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Contact info for Daniel Wells in Pensacola, Florida: Phone number, address lookup, email address, and social networking profiles on Spokeo, your people search engine for contact info & public records. 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. Pensacola; Daniel Leonard Wells; Daniel Leonard Wells, Age 60. aka Dan Wells, D L Wells. Daniel is related to Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. 9 people named Daniel Wells found in this area: includes Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Milton. 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. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. "She can finally rest.". Current Address: EWZU Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. She was later found dead at an empty lot. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. 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. "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. 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. He's now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. 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 arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. 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. We did this time and time again. Using that, they and Parabon made use of an open-source genealogy database, used it to locate distant relatives of the suspect, and finally found the defendant, officers said in the Pensacola News Journal report. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. We located 9 sex offenders matching the name "Daniel Wells" in the US. daniel leonard wells pensacola daniel leonard wells pensacola. Search for birth, death, marriage, divorce, US Census, and military records. "There are people out there who know (what happened). She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. . Phone Number: (816) 468-UYKW +3 phones. . UNLOCK PROFILE. Check out The Morning News to get the latest news, weather and traffic in Central Florida. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. 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. 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 Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriffs office. . Landlines (4) (850) 584-9629 (816) 584 . The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. 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. Tonya's body was found shortly before 5 a.m. on New Year's Day by a family living on Peacock Drive who were taking their sick dog to an all-night veterinarian clinic. "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". Uncover details about birth, marriage, and divorce. The case went nowhere for years, but officers said they used Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case. 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 . The Pensacola Police Department collaborated with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs to run a DNA sample recovered from the crime scene through an open-source genealogy database. Tonya's body was found shortly before 5 a.m. on New Year's Day by a family living on Peacock Drive who were taking their sick dog to an all-night veterinarian clinic. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. ", New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. 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. He has been charged with murder and sexual battery. However, they could not find witnesses who had seen her leave the bar that night. He wasn't going to ever just say what he did on his own. Pensacola, FL View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. After 35 years, an Escambia County man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola. Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. 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. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. 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. He is being held in Escambia County jail. The landline phone number 8165849629 is registered to Daniel Leonard Wells in Pensacola, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd. 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, was found dead in his cell at Escambia County Sheriff's Office in an apparent suicide Thursday morning. 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. Daniel and Jennifer have resided together in a single family house in Kansas City, MO. 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. The investigators had retrieved semen, head hair, and pubic hair from Tonyas body and the crime scene. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. 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. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. DNA evidence lifted from a discarded cigarette led Florida police to the man they believe killed a young mother 35 years ago, authorities said Thursday. 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 can finally rest.". 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. A video appearance was scheduled for court to take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. He was found hanged in his cell early Thursday morning, according to authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport. Their children and Tonyas son were at a late-night daycare facility, and it closed at 1:00 am. 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. Phone & Email (4) All Addresses (7) Family (3) Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? 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. Discover work experience, company details, and more. 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. His age is 60. Daniel departed this 2,006 square foot home in 2003. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. 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. Browse . "(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. From there, investigators said they found Wells and confirmed he was the killer after obtaining a discarded cigarette. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. You may have heard that name before. Emailus. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. 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. David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. 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. Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. This home is the most recent known address for Daniel. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. McKinleys son Tim Davidson Jr. called Wells a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial even started.. 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. 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. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. Lets begin then, shall we? Explore the listing below to find Daniel's address, relatives, and other public records. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. Court records viewed by Law&Crime show no attorney of record. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts 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. Hes now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". With the DNA from the cigarette butt, they were able to positively identify Wells' as the man who raped and murdered Tonya in 1985. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 8 maja 2022. daniel leonard wells pensacola The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. 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. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. 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. Emailus. We did this time and time again. Uncover Daniel's photos, videos, and more , Personal details for Daniel may include . She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. 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 on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 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. 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. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at Darryls Bar & Grille. Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. The cutting-edge forensic technology helped authorities identify multiple people as distant cousins of the suspect. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. 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. "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. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. However, Vanita said the young mother was not yet ready to call it a night and requested to pick up her son on her behalf. Assessor records link the name of Daniel Wells to thirteen properties, including . Davidson was 18 months old at the time of the murder. IE 11 is not supported. 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. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest . He was born on 1-06-1962. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. 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. At the point, the process has become kind of routine. 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. An empty daniel leonard wells pensacola half-naked, officers said the most recent known address for Daniel may.. 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