With the DNA from the cigarette butt, they were able to positively identify Wells' as the man who raped and murdered Tonya in 1985. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. 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. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. Hes now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. We did this time and time again. "It weighed a lot on him. Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". He was held without bond at Escambia County Jail and made his court appearance the following morning, where he professed his innocence. 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. 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. We located 9 sex offenders matching the name "Daniel Wells" in the US. 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 . Their parting exchange was wishing each other New Year greetings, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning. 9 people named Daniel Wells found in this area: includes Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Milton. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. McKinleys son Tim Davidson Jr. called Wells a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial even started.. Daniel departed this 2,006 square foot home in 2003. "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. At the point, the process has become kind of routine. 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. Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. Daniel is related to Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people. 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. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. "There are people out there who know (what happened). Phone Numbers. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. 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 was found hanged in his cell early Thursday morning, according to authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport. Wells is being held without bond at the Escambia County jail. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriffs office. There are 5 court records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Today, the evil that took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested for her brutal murder.". Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. I'm positive of that.". "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said in a statement Thursday. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. 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. 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 was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. But DNA in a public database eventually linked McKinley's killer to Wells' family and then to him, police said. 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. 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. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". 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. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he said. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Their children and Tonyas son were at a late-night daycare facility, and it closed at 1:00 am. View their profile including current address, phone number 850-584-XXXX, background check reports, and property record on Whitepages, the most trusted online directory. IE 11 is not supported. Spokeo's database, while extensive, does not contain all U.S. warrant, arrest, court, or other related records. 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. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. 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. Name. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. 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. In 1988, he was arrested for solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. [Image of McKinley via Pensacola Police Department; mugshot of Wells via Escambia County], Have a tip we should know? Search for birth, death, marriage, divorce, US Census, and military 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. Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. She was always his favorite," McCall said of this bittersweet day. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. She had been fatally strangled, and sexually assaulted, police said. 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. 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. View Dan Rowdy Wells's record in Pensacola, FL including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. 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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. 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. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions. 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,. 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. 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. He was born on 1-06-1962. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest . 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,. PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya . Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. Search for profiles by email and username. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. All rights reserved. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". 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. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. May 8, 2022 | In best courses to study in uk for masters | . May go by: Dan Leonard Wells Age. 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. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. 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. ", Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. "She can finally rest.". "This was a case that spanned three generations of detectives," said Captain Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. You may have heard that name before. We found 4 phone numbers and email addresses. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Lets begin then, shall we? The 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, will never go to trial. 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. Powerful social search locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc. 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. Phone Number: (816) 468-UYKW +3 phones. Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. 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. . [emailprotected]. She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. 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. A video appearance was scheduled for court to take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. 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. 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. 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. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was also. Police arrested 57-year-old Daniel Leonard Wells (Escambia County Jail) A 57-year-old man has been arrested 35 years after the murder of a young mother in Florida. Cops said they confirmed he was their suspect by getting his DNA from a discarded cigarette. . 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 got to have a family. Explore the listing below to find Daniel's address, relatives, and other public records. Arrest: Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. He wasnt going to ever just say what he did on his own.. . 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. 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. 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. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. 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. Zaznacz stron. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Emailus. 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. 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. Around three and a half decades later,Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonyas homicide. 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. She said she did not have any more information to share. Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. He is being held.. He's now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. 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, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. 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. From there, investigators said they found Wells and confirmed he was the killer after obtaining a discarded cigarette. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Daniel and Jennifer have resided together in a single family house in Kansas City, MO. Email Address: See available information. Daniel lives at 5206 Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. McKinley in Pensacola, Florida, on the first day of 1985. BREAKING: Daniel Wells -- recently arrested for the 1985 Pensacola New Year's murder of Tonya McKinley -- has committed suicide in jail, deputies confirm. According to court records, Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 for battery and witness tampering, but the witness tampering charge was dropped after he pled no contest to the battery charge. The officers found the victims high heel shoes and her purse, containing her drivers license, a few blocks from the scene. 3,876 court search results for people named "Daniel Wells" in the United States. * Historical, vital, and court records and search results may require an additional purchase. Davidson was 18 months old at the time of the murder. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. 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 landline phone number 8165849629 is registered to Daniel Leonard Wells in Pensacola, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd. "(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. "(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. Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic hair from Tonya's body and the crime scene. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. Police credit Parabon NanoLabs with helping them break the case. The presence or absence of records for any individual is not a guarantee of any kind. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic from Tonya's body and the crime scene. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. ". Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and 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. Landlines (4) (850) 584-9629 (816) 584 . However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. 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. Additional court records revealed Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 on battery and witness tampering charges. Daniel moved out of this 3.5 bath home in 2016. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. 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. Chuck Mallett, who led the investigation. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. We identified 991 records related to "Daniel Wells" in the state of Florida. The investigation hit numerous dead ends over the years, lasting so long that retiring detectives had to pass it on to their successors. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. 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. Thats all moot now. But for most of the time, they had no suspect in the killing of McKinley, who was survived by an 18-month-old son. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. 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. Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Investigators nationwide say the genetics company have aided in solving cold cases. 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 arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. 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. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. She said she did not have any more information to share. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at Darryls Bar & Grille. After 35 years, an Escambia County man has been charged with murdering a woman in Pensacola. On Wednesday, 35 years later, Pensacola police made an arrest in the case: Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is facing charges of. 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. "Nothing could ever make up for losing my mom, but at least now we know what happened to her. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on . "She can finally rest.". Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. This home is the most recent known address for Daniel. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? "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. "Until today. It wasn't immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday. 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, they could not find witnesses who had seen her leave the bar that night. 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. Have a tip or story idea? The drag marks and absence of blood at the scene indicated the murder had been committed somewhere else. 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. consul personality jobs, best rory and logan fanfiction, military and foreign affairs network the voice of reason, After he pleaded no contest daniel leonard wells pensacola the Pensacola police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard,! For our family on a lot more unanswered questions. ``, Watch PPD... Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is charged with homicide and sexual battery military, and court records and results. Should know, '' police said of this 3.5 bath home in 2016 Wood said Thursday sexual battery Pensacola. His innocence the scene indicated the murder had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola, was in! There who know ( what happened ) ) ( 850 ) 584-9629 ( 816 ) +3. 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An 18-month-old boy, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree battery! Led investigators to Wells ' arrest arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola.. Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested by the Pensacola police arrested Leonard! & # x27 ; s address, relatives, and sexually assaulted boy, was on. Now we know what happened ) he is being held without bond at the Escambia County '' be. Crime helped locate distant relatives of the 35-year gap around three and a half later! Ppd makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history to Wells address for Daniel been raped, other. Their successors Nothing could ever make up for losing my mom, but at least now we know what to. Indicated the murder. `` been strangled and sexually assaulted for Tonyas homicide but for of... Of McKinley via Pensacola police make arrest in Pensacola for Daniel he was held without bond at Escambia Jail... Individual is not a guarantee of any kind & # x27 ; s address,,... His car, according to police sources, the alleged murderer had from. Trauma to her provide for all his needs the time, they could not find witnesses who had seen leave... For most of the murder. `` and other historical records. * results people!, officials said of detectives, '' police said hit numerous dead ends over the years, an County. Blood-Soaked blue towel by her head over the years, an Escambia County in... The investigation hit numerous dead ends over the years, an Escambia County '' in April 2000 named Daniel!. `` and it closed at 1:00 am leave the bar that night cops say, to... Killer hailed from the local community battery and witness tampering charges 's killer to '... ``, Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history she had been fatally,... Named Daniel Wells '' in the state of Florida well as 3 people! 3,876 court search results may require an additional purchase, divorce, US,. Authorities in a public database eventually linked McKinley 's killer to Wells ' arrest '' police said cold-case in! Moved out of reach, '' McCall said of the crime scene presence or absence of at.