DeSoto County, FL Area Cold Cases

Name

Tara Sidarovich

Age

19

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Update: february 2017 - the man on trial for murder in a cold case spanning more than 15 years was found guilty of first-degree murder. David mcmannis was accused of assisting in the murder of 19-year-old tara sidarovich at her punta gorda home. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison following his conviction, the state attorney’s office said. The charlotte county sheriff's office is investigating the death of tara danielle sidarovich, age 19, 5'05" approx 150lbs with light brown hair. On october 1, 2001 at approx 5:30pm deputies responded to a westwood drive address in punta gorda in reference to a possible burglary. It was found that jewelry was missing, but there were no signs of forced entry. It was further learned that the residence was occupied by tara during the day and her whereabouts were unknown. Tara had stayed home waiting for some home maintenance repairs. When her mother returned home she was unable to locate her daughter. On july 12, 2002 the skeletal remains of tara were located in a wooded area off of burnt store road in punta gorda and the charlotte county sheriff's office is now investigating this as a homicide. In october 2012, a warrant was issued for david ray mcmannis and phillip gavin barr on charges of first degree murder in connection with the death of tara sidarovich. Mcmannis was arrested in maryland and extradited to charlotte county. Phillip gavin barr was arrested in the state of vermont and is currently in custody awaiting trial. Ccso cold case detectives are still investigating this case and if anyone has any information they are asked to contact the charlotte county sheriff's office cold case unit at (941)575-5361 or after hours call (941)639-2101, or email them at coldcase@ccso.Org

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Name

Victoria Arena

Age

32

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

On 06/16/2001 the body of 32 year-old victoria arena was found in a wooded area in punta gorda. Vikki was last seen in the late evening hours by family members as she left her ellis lane residence in englewood on 06/11/01. It is believed that arena knew her assailant. If you have information that can help solve this crime: please call the charlotte county sheriff's office cold case unit at (941)575-5361 or after hours call (941)639-2101, or email them at coldcase@ccso.Org

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Name

Pilar Rodriguez

Age

4

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Update: october 2017 - keith wilson was sentenced to life in prison following being convicted of second-degree murder of 4-year old pilar rodriquez. Rodriquez went with her babysitter melissa harding-jones to spend two weeks at her boyfriend's place. They never returned. Harding-jones told police that her boyfriend, wilson, had beaten pilar to death and got rid of the body. The body has still not been found. If you have information that can help solve this crime: please call the charlotte county sheriff's office cold case unit at (941)575-5361 or after hours call (941)639-2101, or email them at coldcase@ccso.Org

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Name

John Smith

Age

32

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

On october 9, 1990, in the mid morning hours, ccso was called to don pedro state park off the coast of cape haze after a homemade mullet fishing boat was discovered near the mangroves with a dead body inside. A second body was discovered floating in the water nearby. Both victims were found to have been shot with small caliber weapons. The victims' boat was seen entering this area around 8:30 am. A green-colored mullet boat with two white male occupants in their 30's, was seen leaving the immediate area at a high rate of speed between 9:30 am and 9:45 am. John stanley smith was born on 7/12/58 and was 32 years old at the time of his death. He was a white male. If you have information that can help solve this crime: please call the charlotte county sheriff's office cold case unit at (941)575-5361 or after hours call (941)639-2101, or email them at coldcase@ccso.Org

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Name

Harry Scott

Age

42

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

On october 9, 1990, in the mid morning hours, ccso was called to don pedro state park off the coast of cape haze after a homemade mullet fishing boat was discovered near the mangroves with a dead body inside. A second body was discovered floating in the water nearby. Both victims were found to have been shot with small caliber weapons. The victims' boat was seen entering this area around 8:30 am. A green-colored mullet boat with two white male occupants in their 30's, was seen leaving the immediate area at a high rate of speed between 9:30 am and 9:45 am. Harry billy scott was born on 8/30/48 and was 42 years of age at the time of his death. He was a white male, 5'7", 440 lbs. If you have information that can help solve this crime: please call the charlotte county sheriff's office cold case unit at (941)575-5361 or after hours call (941)639-2101, or email them at coldcase@ccso.Org

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Name

Sharon Gill

Age

42

Cause of Death

Knife/Stabbing

Info

Update - november 2020: roland thomas davis, a 68-year-old death row inmate, has been named the suspect in the murder of sharon gill. On march 21, 1990, in the afternoon hours, ccso deputies were called to the residence of sharon marie gill on rampart blvd in the deep creek section of punta gorda, florida after a family member came home and discovered that she was dead inside her house. Investigation revealed that sharon gill had been stabbed multiple times. She was home alone at the time of this incident and no signs of forced entry into her residence were discovered. Sharon gill was born on 8/21/47 and was 42 years old at the time of her death. She was a white female, 5'4" and 135 lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes. If you have information that can help solve this crime: please call the charlotte county sheriff's office cold case unit at (941)575-5361 or after hours call (941)639-2101, or email them at coldcase@ccso.Org. The sheriff's office cold case members would like to speak to the person who provided an online tip in the murder of sharon marie gill (90-012252) on february 4, 2015.

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Name

Robert Hecht

Age

56

Cause of Death

Blunt Force

Info

On november 29, 1988 during the late evening hours, ccso deputies were called to the home of robert hecht on rio togas drive in punta gorda, florida to check his well being, after he was last seen alive on november 26, 1988 at the village oyster bar in fisherman's village. Deputies discovered the victim in the residence, dead from head injuries appeared to have been caused by being struck multiple times with a blunt instrument. This case was classified as a homicide by the charlotte county medical examiner. Investigators discovered that his 1988 tan and brown lincoln town car was missing and it was later discovered in lenoir, north carolina. Robert hecht was born on 12/27/31 and was 56 years old at the time of his death. He was a white male. If you have information that can help solve this crime: please call the charlotte county sheriff's office cold case unit at (941)575-5361 or after hours call (941)639-2101, or email them at coldcase@ccso.Org

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Name

Adele Easterly

Age

25

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

On november 6th 1979 at approximately 2:00 a.M., a 25 year old arcadia woman, adele marie easterly was found shot to death at the farm store located on u.S. 17 in ridge harbor. She was an assistant manager. A deputy checking out a suspicious vehicle discovered the brutal murder. Easterly was shot twice with a shotgun. The killer escaped with approximately $7.34 from the store. If you have information that can help solve this crime: please call the charlotte county sheriff's office cold case unit at (941)575-5361 or after hours call (941)639-2101, or email them at coldcase@ccso.Org

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Name

Prinis Battle

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Battle lived in fort myers and was in port charlotte dropping off his girlfriend at work and taking some of her personal items to her residence. It is believed that battle was followed from fort myers and ambushed by the shooters, who were described by battle, before he was transported to the hospital, as two black males driving a white ford mustang. Battle ultimately succumbed to his wound. Charlotte county sheriff's office cold case detectives are actively investigating this case and strongly believe that there are individuals, particularly in fort myers, who have information related to the shooting death and know the identity of the shooters.

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff

Name

Christine Flahive

Age

42

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On january 4, 1995, christine flahive, a 42 year old resident of punta gorda, left her home on a bicycle during the late afternoon hours and was never seen again by her family. Her father contacted the charlotte county sheriff's office the following day to report her missing. Christine flahive is described at the time she went missing as 5' 6", 140 pounds, with strawberry blonde hair (wavy) and brown eyes. Christine is known to have frequented local bars and restaurants in punta gorda and the surrounding area.

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff

Name

Harry Scott

Age

42

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On october 9, 1990, in the mid morning hours, ccso was called to don pedro state park off the coast of cape haze after a homemade mullet fishing boat was discovered near the mangroves with a dead body inside. A second body was discovered floating in the water nearby. Both victims were found to have been shot with small caliber weapons. The victims' boat was seen entering this area around 8:30 am. A green-colored mullet boat with two white male occupants in their 30's, was seen leaving the immediate area at a high rate of speed between 9:30 am and 9:45 am. Harry billy scott was born on 8/30/48 and was 42 years of age at the time of his death. He was a white male, 5'7”, 440 lbs. John stanley smith was born on 7/12/58 and was 32 years old at the time of his death. He was a white male.

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff

Name

John Smith

Age

32

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On october 9, 1990, in the mid morning hours, ccso was called to don pedro state park off the coast of cape haze after a homemade mullet fishing boat was discovered near the mangroves with a dead body inside. A second body was discovered floating in the water nearby. Both victims were found to have been shot with small caliber weapons. The victims' boat was seen entering this area around 8:30 am. A green-colored mullet boat with two white male occupants in their 30's, was seen leaving the immediate area at a high rate of speed between 9:30 am and 9:45 am. Harry billy scott was born on 8/30/48 and was 42 years of age at the time of his death. He was a white male, 5'7”, 440 lbs. John stanley smith was born on 7/12/58 and was 32 years old at the time of his death. He was a white male.

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff

Name

Pilar Rodriguez

Age

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sheriff's office detectives are looking for additional information regarding the february 1999 disappearance and death of pilar rodriguez, a 4 year old female who was staying at the trail apartments with her babysitter melissa cooper and cooper's boyfriend keith wilson. Melissa cooper, now known as melissa harding-jones was arrested in 2010 by charlotte county sheriff's office major crime unit-cold case detectives in washington state and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child which resulted in a guilty plea in 2013. Both melissa cooper and keith wilson have been convicted in this case, cooper pled guilty to accessory after the fact and wilson was found guilty of 2nd degree murder in a october, 2017 trial. Although this case has been completed from a criminal prosecution standpoint, the remains of pilar sofia rodriguez have not been found and recovered. Cooper testified at the keith wilson trial that she did not know where wilson took the body of pilar rodriguez and keith wilson has not provided those details to law enforcement. Ccso major crime unit-cold case detectives believe that someone besides keith wilson, also has this information and has not yet come forward!

Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff

Name

Theodore King

Age

56

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Andrew Peiper

Age

27

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Dequante Yarde

Age

19

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Mustak Ahmed

Age

58

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Richard Rooks

Age

19

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Antwan Reeves

Age

30

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Alton Perry

Age

30

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Christopher Smith

Age

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

On 10/01/2009 christopher deon smith was found deceased within his home in the nocatee community of desoto county. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigations division of the desoto county sheriff's office at (863) 993-4700 or southwest florida crime stoppers 1-800-780-tips. You may remain anonymous and be subject to a reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the subject(s) responsible. Those who have withheld information about the homicide, and are not involved, will not face criminal charges for failing to come forward thus far.

Agency

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

Name

Leon Brady

Age

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

On 10/23/2008 leon brady was killed near his home in the nocatee community of desoto county. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigations division of the desoto county sheriff's office at (863) 993-4700 or southwest florida crime stoppers 1-800-780-tips. You may remain anonymous and be subject to a reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the subject(s) responsible. Those who have withheld information about the homicide, and are not involved, will not face criminal charges for failing to come forward thus far.

Agency

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

Name

Eileen Seymour

Age

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

The body of ms. Eileen seymour was discovered in her home at lot 103, 1625 ne fiveash street in desoto county florida on march 02, 2006. From the scene it is obvious that seymour died as a result of homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigations division of the desoto county sheriff's office at (863) 993-4700 or southwest florida crime stoppers 1-800-780-tips. You may remain anonymous and be subject to a reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the subject(s) responsible. Those who have withheld information about the homicide, and are not involved, will not face criminal charges for failing to come forward thus far.

Agency

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

Name

Demario Johnson

Age

19

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

John Welles

Age

17

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

On 07/08/2003 the body of john welles, 17, was discovered in a body of water across from his residence off hansel road in desoto county florida. Welles was last known alive after returning from wal-mart the same afternoon and went the area alone to complete the last of his days chores. Determined after autopsy was the fact welles was the victim of murder. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigations division of the desoto county sheriff's office at (863) 993-4700 or southwest florida crime stoppers 1-800-780-tips. You may remain anonymous and be subject to a reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the subject(s) responsible. Those who have withheld information about the homicide, and are not involved, will not face criminal charges for failing to come forward thus far.

Agency

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

Name

Joseph Kinville

Age

16

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

On 03/01/99, the body of 16yoa joseph kinville was discovered in a field off robin road within desoto county florida. Kinville did suffer injury that resulted in his death. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigations division of the desoto county sheriff's office at (863) 993-4700 or southwest florida crime stoppers 1-800-780-tips. You may remain anonymous and be subject to a reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the subject(s) responsible. Those who have withheld information about the homicide, and are not involved, will not face criminal charges for failing to come forward thus far.

Agency

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

Name

Julian Mendiola

Age

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

On 12/24/96 julian mendiola died as a result of a home invasion robbery in his home at 2173 ne goolsby ave. Investigators discovered that two masked assailants had entered the home demanding money. Mendiola was shot when he resisted his attackers. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigations division of the desoto county sheriff's office at (863) 993-4700 or southwest florida crime stoppers 1-800-780-tips. You may remain anonymous and be subject to a reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the subject(s) responsible. Those who have withheld information about the homicide, and are not involved, will not face criminal charges for failing to come forward thus far.

Agency

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

Name

Darlene Carter

Age

29

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Derrick Gray

Age

25

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Was reported missing on february 20, 1996. On june 3, 1996, a body identified as darlene carter was discovered. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the sebring police department at (863) 471-5108. To submit a tip anonymously and be eligible for a cash reward, call the heartland crime stoppers at 1-800-226-8477.

Agency

Sebring Police Department

Name

Antonio Salgado

Age

25

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

On december 14, 1980 salgado was shot during a bar fight at the la cantina at 525 s. Main st., lake placid. If you have any information on this case please call the highlands county sheriff's office at (863) 402-7200. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, call heartland crime stoppers at 1-800-226-8477.

Agency

Highlands County Sheriff's Office

Name

Merritt Wheeler Sr

Age

36

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

During 10/08/1980 the body of 36yoa merritt wheeler sr. Was discovered in horse creek near the bridge at cr 769 within desoto county florida. Based on the facts from the scene, it was clear wheeler had suffered substantial injury before being placed into the body of water. Merritt wheeler is a victim of murder. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigations division of the desoto county sheriff's office at (863) 993-4700 or southwest florida crime stoppers 1-800-780-tips. You may remain anonymous and be subject to a reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the subject(s) responsible. Those who have withheld information about the homicide, and are not involved, will not face criminal charges for failing to come forward thus far.

Agency

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

Name

William Hinote

Age

64

Cause of Death

Fire/Arson

Info

On may 13, 1979 at about 3:00am, a fire completely destroyed the victim's mobile home near venus florida. On may 14, 1979 at about 7:00pm, the victim was found in the remains of the residential fire by neighbors. He was burned beyond recognition, but identified via medical records. If you have any information on this case please call the highlands county sheriff's office at (863) 402-7200. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, call heartland crime stoppers at 1-800-226-8477.

Agency

Highlands County Sheriff's Office

Name

Michael Chitwood

Age

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Michael roger chitwood was reportedly abducted from his home in desoto county florida on 08/12/1975. Chitwood's body was then discovered 08/14/75, in the kissimmee river within okeechobeecounty. From evidence, it is obvious that chitwood was murdered and intentionally placed in the body of water. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigations division of the desoto county sheriff's office at (863) 993-4700 or southwest florida crime stoppers 1-800-780-tips. You may remain anonymous and be subject to a reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the subject(s) responsible. Those who have withheld information about the homicide, and are not involved, will not face criminal charges for failing to come forward thus far.

Agency

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office