He is currently being held without bond at Escambia County Jail. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? The investigation found she had been strangled to death and sexually assaulted. He was charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Born March 3, 1940 in Waynesville, NC to Patrick Joseph and Coralie Bolton Leonard, Dan was a recognized expert in the field of music education, having taught . Detectives laid fresh eyes on all of the evidence, new theories were presented, and hopes of catching Tonyas killer were renewed.. He was found hanged in his cell early Thursday morning, according to authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport. Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, one of popular music's most influential figures for four decades, known most widely for the song "Hallelujah," died Nov. 10, 2016. Today, the evil that took Tonya from her friends and family was arrested for her brutal murder, the department said. They also failed to match DNA found at the scene with samples from a national database. The Dignity Memorial online obituary search tool gives you access to obituaries from thousands of locations across North America. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. Obituaries. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The family will arrive at 10:00am and receive friends at 11:00am, one hour prior to the service. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. Using a database, Pensacola authorities were able to match DNA evidence found near McKinleys body with several different people believed to be Wells distant cousins. 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. Kenneth is predeceased by his son David, brothers Donald, Leonard, Paul and his sisters Sheila Gallant, Rita MacIssac, Patsy Arsenault and Eva Kilbride. 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. Lenard "Lenny" Wells died March 21 at age 69 of complications from the coronavirus. William Edwin "Ed" Danallanko . 8:32 a.m.: David Chapple-Kerry Miller; Shane Larsson-Junior Flores Wells Fargo & Company Announces Common Stock Dividend 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. Guest commentary: Let's stand up to Dan Patrick's attack on academic freedom (42) We all should push back against toxic political dialogue (37 . Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Wells Sr. died Monday, September 23, 2019, at the Life Care Center of Richland at the age of 90. She was born May 8, 1929, in Greensboro, Ala. Mrs. Womack was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. 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. Wells was living in Olive Branch, Mississippi, about a 30-minute drive from Memphis, where he taught. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as: names, dates, place of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Leonard Wells, age 76, of Stafford, Virginia passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, at his daughter's residence. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. 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 . Death Notice of Daniel Leonard (Junior) - rip.ie Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Leonard Wells Obituary - Stafford, VA 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. . We are proud to serve people of all faiths, nationalities, and lifestyles. 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 . But for most of the time, they had no suspect in the killing of McKinley, who was survived by an 18-month-old son. DANIEL LEONARD OBITUARY. Obituaries. She said she did not have any more information to share. 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. His funeral is planned for Saturday . With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. 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 . 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. Obituary for Dan Wells | Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, according to the Pensacola News Journal. However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. Leonard Cohen, singer-songwriter extraordinaire, dead at 82 However, forensic science was yet to evolve in 1985, and with the police having no leads or suspects, the case went cold. Emailus. Moreover, the winding roads and complex layout of the neighborhood convinced the cops that the killer hailed from the local community. Names are spelled as they appear in the primary source, Bixby Bulletin obituary, and cannot be edited by Bixby Historical Society. He was born . Leonard D. Wells | Obit-old | yakimaherald.com Survived by beloved wife Jennifer Zeinner-Leonard, children: Scott Leonard Jr., Steven Strachota, James (Lori) Hestad, Samantha . Scott "Frenchy" Daniel Leonard's Obituary - Ponca, NE | Ever Loved My Filebox . 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. Arrest:Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. 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Florida Man Linked by DNA to 1985 Murder Found Dead in Cell Results for 'obituary' | Between 8th Jan 1969 and 14th Jan 1969 Dan Johnson Wells was born in Yarnaby, Oklahoma, on March 26, 1928, to Glover Delon and Josie Ella (Johnson) Wells. Lets begin then, shall we? With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Daniel Edward Wells of Lindale, Texas, born in Longview, Texas, who passed away on January 11, 2023 at the age of 76. . Daniel was thankful for his salvation and loved the Lord with all his heart. Find your ancestry info and recent death notices for relatives and friends. 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. Brookside Funeral Home & Crematory. All rights reserved. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. A legend. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. Daniel Steven Leonard Obituary (1986 - 2022) - Echovita After spending eight years employed at the Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company in Grand Prairie, Texas, he and . OBITUARY Mr. C. L. Burns (Tunbridge Wells) Mr. Cecil Leonard Burns, well-known architect, sparetime artist, and a champion of the preservation of the architectural heritage of the town . Daniel W. Gooch - Wikipedia Kenneth Leo Kenny Wells, a native of Pensacola, Florida and a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, departed the planet on April 1, 2023, leaving no itinerary as to his next destination within the Robert Bobby" Wells, 90, died peacefully at home February 16, 2023. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. Obit: Leonard A. Wells Sr. | Obituaries | eastoregonian.com Once you find the obituary you are looking for, you can get important information about upcoming services, share a favorite photo or memory, and send flowers or gifts to the family. Leonard D. Wells, aka Bill, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Landmark Care Center, four days after his 92nd birthday. TSL and NTFA football teams for the weekend of April 29. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. Obituary. Their parting exchange was wishing each other New Year greetings, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning. Wells, 64 of Wattsburg, passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022, surrounded by his family at St. Vincent Health Center. The 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, will never go to trial. Harvey Leslie Arychuk . Local obituaries for Escanaba, Michigan 332 Results Thursday, March 2, 2023 Add Photos Add a Memory Katherine "Kathy" Frappier Katherine "Kathy" Christine Frappier (nee Woodring), 71, of. Fifth Flight (East and North) 8:24 a.m.: Nick Maschas-Michael Gilbert; Randy Greer-Dave Robbins. 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. A year later, Wells was arrested for alleged solicitation of prostitution, but its unclear how the case ended. David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. James Forrest Eby, 85, of Seville, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 after a lengthy battle with Huntington's Disease. He was a member of Love of God Baptist Church. He was charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya Ethridge McKinley." 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 . I cant believe this day has finally arrived, Tonya Ethridge McKinleys sister said on Thursday. Get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts. But DNA in a public database eventually linked McKinley's killer to Wells' family and then to him, police said. Chief Ernest Hamel said that the man was dead when the department . "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". 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. We did this time and time again, the department said in their statement. Florida man linked by DNA to 1985 murder found dead in cell - WKMG William "Bill" Daniel Leonard, 82, of Lexington, passed away Monday October 24, 2022 at his home. Home; Obituaries; Death Notices . 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. Clark was born December 1, 1950 in Greenwich, CT. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may John "Lenny" Wells Sr. of Tampa, 79, passed away at home August 7, 2021. 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. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Results for 'obituary' | Between 19th Mar 1948 and 19th Mar 1948 | Kent These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Tornado Touched Down in Palm Beach Gardens, Leaving Destruction in Its Wake. Daniel died suddenly on January 29th 2023. 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. ", "She was killed in the early-morning hours of January 1, 1985. 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. Obituary Surnames Beginning With W | Bixby Historical Society Florida man arrested in 35-year-old cold case murder thanks to DNA on Select boxes below to reduce the number of results. He pleaded no contest to the first charge, and the second was eventually dropped. The death has occurred of Daniel Leonard (Junior) Ballinacurra Gardens, Ballinacurra, Limerick. Take a Look, Police Reunite Parents With Toddler Found Wandering at 3 AM in Miramar. "It weighed a lot on him. 0. 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. escanaba funeral home obituaries 04272023 OBITUARIES by tribune242 - Issuu Mr. Daniel Steven Leonard, 35 of Thomasville passed away Thursday, October 6, 2022 at his residence. was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. Investigators collected physical evidence at the scene and on McKinleys bodyincluding semen and hairbut they were never able to identify a suspect or make any arrests in the case. GenLookups.com - Mississippi Obituary and Death Notice Archive - Page 872. 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. Last of 2 defendants has been sentenced in Erie for robbing Jared store near Millcreek Mall. 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. That Wasn't a Meteorite in the South Florida Sky Sunday Night. As technology advanced, the case was brought back to the forefront. Tonya McKinley Murder: Where is Daniel Wells Now? Update - The Cinemaholic He was visiting family in Milwaukee when he got sick. He was born on January 31, 1946, in Lincoln County, West Virginia, the son of the late Harvey and Doris (Scites) Wells. Obituary | Bill Daniel Leonard | Davidson Funeral Home 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. No suspects had been publicly named. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. 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. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. They celebrated 73 years together. Funeral Care Services; Celebrations of Life; In Memory; Place an Obituary; Clear Search Results Search. He is preceded in death by his parents Joy Charles, and Patricia Leonard, and a sister Robin Buck. Very sad story considering he evaded true justice by taking the coward's way out. 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.. Obituary for Daniel Steven Leonard | J. C. Green & Sons Funeral Home His arrest marks the beginning of the end of the oldest cold case in Pensacola history. . Lenard "Lenny" Wells remembered after dying from complications - WSAW In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. A memorial service will be in 2014. Obituary. 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. "Each time, evil won, just out of reach," police said of the 35-year gap. Have a tip or story idea? 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. Bracknell celebrate a goal in their win over Longford last week. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. John L. "Lenny" Wells, Sr. 02/10/1942 - 08/07/2021. ". Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. I remember reading about this case actually on this subreddit which fascinated me because I was unaware of it despite living in Pensacola, Florida nearly my whole life. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. For 35 years, the family of Tonya Ethridge McKinley anxiously waited for authorities to track down the man who murdered the gregarious 23-year-old, dumping her body on the side of a Florida highway. She was later found dead at an empty lot. I cant believe this day has finally arrived.. Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he said. Harry Daniel Hall, 66, of Medina, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023. http://www.northescambia.com/2020/04/suspect-recently-arrested-in-35-year-old-cold-case-murder-commits-suicide-in-jail. Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. 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.. 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 always his favorite," McCall said of this bittersweet day. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. 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.