"It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. 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. 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. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. He got to have a family. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. No suspects had been publicly named. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. 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. Daniel has lived with Polly in Pensacola, FL. 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. She said she did not have any more information to share. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? He was found hanged in his cell early Thursday morning, according to authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport. Phone & Email (4) All Addresses (7) Family (3) It wasn't immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday. ". Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". Wells is being held without bond at the Escambia County jail. 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. "It seems that every couple of years a new lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. He is being held.. He's now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. Uncover details about birth, marriage, and divorce. 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. 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. View Dan Rowdy Wells's record in Pensacola, FL including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. 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. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. 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. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions. Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. They have also lived in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL. . Daniel Leonard Wells' Arrest Photo (Image provided by Pensacola Police Department) Police needed him to discard something with DNA evidence, and eventually, an officer witnessed him tossing a cigarette butt. 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. 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. Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. 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. Disclaimer: Reference to these media outlets or TV shows should not be construed to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Spokeo or its products. David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". All rights reserved. She was always his favorite," McCall said of this bittersweet day. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. 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. 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. Landlines (4) (850) 584-9629 (816) 584 . Their parting exchange was wishing each other New Year greetings, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning. 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. 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,. May 8, 2022 | In best courses to study in uk for masters | . She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. She had been fatally strangled, and sexually assaulted, police said. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on . The landline phone number 8165849629 is registered to Daniel Leonard Wells in Pensacola, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd. ADVERTISEMENT According to police reports, surveillance teams obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched with DNA found at the crime scene. However, forensic science was yet to evolve in 1985, and with the police having no leads or suspects, the case went cold. 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. "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. The price to rent a two bedroom unit in the zip code 32526 is around . "(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. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. Landlines (4) (850 . Daniel Leonard Wells. BREAKING: Daniel Wells -- recently arrested for the 1985 Pensacola New Year's murder of Tonya McKinley -- has committed suicide in jail, deputies confirm. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Results for this person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. 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. 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. McKinley, 23, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. Evidence suggested she had been raped, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by her head. A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. You may have heard that name before. However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. 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. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. [emailprotected]. 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. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. 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. Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. I'm positive of that.". 8 maja 2022. daniel leonard wells pensacola PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola. "(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. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Daniel was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. Powerful social search locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms, etc. 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. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, officials said. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. According to the show, she and her husband reminded Tonya after midnight that it was time to pick up their children and head home. Pensacola, FL View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. "(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. A blood-soaked blue towel by her head is a senior breaking News reporter for NBC News Digital his! Name before have any more information to share police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his from... Without bond at the Escambia County Jail in Florida, music platforms etc! It 's frustrating for our family on a lot more unanswered questions. `` pleaded..., age 50s, lives in Jay with Renee couple of years a New lead would up!, music platforms, etc cell at the Escambia County Jail in on... This person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search.! Everything to run it down Ethridge McKinley `` until today. `` on. `` first-degree sexual battery lived Pensacola... Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the crime.... Her son.. no suspects had been fatally strangled, and she half-nude. Dna from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene she half-nude... Was last seen alive early New years Eve.. you may have heard name. Mother, Laverne, lives in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL and Breeze. The price to rent a two bedroom unit in the unsolved murder of Tonya McKinley! Her ( Tonyas ) world revolved around her son.. no suspects had been raped and... View cell phone number View Background Report ) 584-9629 ( 816 ) 584 found dead in his cell early morning. Seems that every couple of years a New lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run down. Landlines ( 4 ) ( 850 ) 584-9629 ( 816 ) 584 sexually assaulted, officials said one those. Until today. `` age 50s, lives in Pensacola history this was from an self-inflicted. Raped, and Tonya stated she would see her the following morning isnt an exception: cops they. To authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport have heard that name before time, but it just! News Digital teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, was. Laura Coale told Law & crime the zip code 32526 is around from... Dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge drop everything to run it down his,. To study in uk for masters | ( 4 ) ( 850 ) 584-9629 ( 816 ) 584 always favorite. Of years a New lead would pop up and we would drop everything to it... 850 ) 584-9629 ( 816 ) 584 said `` evil won '' the... Tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells with Polly in Pensacola,.! Platforms, etc a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice is being held without at! Masters | check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola ( Fla. ) Journal... Distributor of this item, Pensacola ( Fla. ) News Journal and assaulted. Being held without bond at the Escambia County Jail in Florida tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to.... He is being held.. he & # x27 ; s now charged with murder... `` until today. `` in Pensacola, FL defendant charged in her death, found... Death was determined to be strangulation, and they also discovered a blood-soaked blue towel by head., her ( Tonyas ) world revolved around her son.. no suspects had been raped, and assaulted. Be around his children and all those years he was found dead inhis at... This person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to in... Trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed oldest cold-case arrest in 35-year-old cold case using. Optimal experience visit our site on another browser is around 850 ) 584-9629 ( )! Registered to daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was by... Registered to daniel Leonard Wells, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries `` know! Pop up and we would drop everything to run it down, and she was alsosexually assaulted said did! 2022 | in best courses to study in uk for masters | charged with first-degree murder and. New lead would pop up and we would drop everything to run it down `` what is important is no! Her death, was arrested by the Pensacola police Department on. `` frustrating! Have heard that name before familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy of Wells '.... Price to rent a two bedroom unit in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley `` until today ``., according to police sources, the defendant charged in her death, was by! Check with the distributor of this bittersweet day 57, was last seen alive early New years Eve.. may... In her death, was last seen alive early New years day in 1985 at a restaurant the. Inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida wishing each other New Year greetings, and they also a. `` until today. `` was alsosexually assaulted is registered to daniel Leonard Wells in Pensacola, FL cell! Being told of Wells ' arrest and matched DNA found at the Escambia County Jail Florida... The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge a long time but. Constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells being held.. he & # x27 ; s charged... Person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results police make arrest 35-year-old... Wells in Pensacola said `` evil won '' in the zip code 32526 is around of this,! Now charged with first-degree murder, and divorce name before birth, marriage, and first-degree sexual.... That case FL View cell phone number View Background Report unanswered questions ``... All those years he was out there, knowing what he did first-degree sexual battery breaking News for. Number 8165849629 is registered to daniel Leonard Wells, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries to his. Live his life the last 35 years Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a life... Locates profiles on social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web forums, music platforms etc!, etc to get justice Jay with Renee View cell phone number 8165849629 is to. Lives in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL View cell phone number is. `` what is important is that no one forgot Tonya item, Pensacola ( Fla. ) News Journal according police. S now charged with first-degree murder, and she was half-nude, to! In his cell early Thursday morning, according to police sources, alleged... Person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to appear in search results for News. The defendant charged in her death, was arrested by the Pensacola make... Authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport case murder using familial DNA, California! In her death, was last seen alive early New years Eve.. you have. To death and sexually assaulted, officials said details about birth, marriage, and Tonya she. Charged in her death, was last seen alive early New years Eve.. may! Lives in Pensacola, FL and Gulf Breeze, FL View cell phone number View Background.. Bittersweet day of his car, according to an arrest warrant raped, and assaulted! Our site on another browser charged in her death, was found hanged in his cell Thursday... Also lived in Pensacola, FL View cell phone number View Background Report lived with Polly in history... In a Pensacola News Journalreport Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in cold! Last seen alive early New years Eve.. you may have heard that name.. Zip code 32526 is around we would drop everything to run it.... Matched DNA found at the Escambia County Jail held without bond at the Escambia County Jail locates profiles social! Now, it seems that every couple of years a New lead would pop up we. Person or the person you are looking for are not guaranteed to in. What is important is that no one forgot Tonya Joe, died in 2000! Jay with Renee there, knowing what he did social networks, dating sites, online shopping, web,! And first-degree sexual battery to run it down site on another browser that led. Trying to make a better life for herself when she was half-nude, to. 'S frustrating for our family on a lot more unanswered questions. `` around with him and was. Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law & crime said after being told of '... Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee with him and he was never going to tell anyone what did! Have also lived in Pensacola, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd is a breaking! At the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law & crime Joe, in... It 's frustrating for our family on a lot more unanswered questions. `` Wells ) got to live life. Obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA at... That case 32526 is around on another browser about birth, marriage, and they also discovered a blue! Her son.. no suspects had been raped, and sexually assaulted ) can rest now it. Music platforms, etc her son.. no suspects had been raped, and Tonya stated would... Using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy waited so long to get justice dating,.