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. Past Addresses: Pensacola FL, Kansas City MO +4 more. 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. 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. ". For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". He was found hanged in his cell early Thursday morning, according to authorities in a Pensacola News Journalreport. 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. 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 . "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. However, he was found dead inhis cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida on April 2, 2020. When the emergency respondents arrived at the scene, they located the corpse lying next to the curb, with her pantyhose pulled down around her ankles and dress pulled up. Hes now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. We did this time and time again. ", Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. There are 5 court records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. 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. I'm positive of that.". Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". 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. Court records viewed by Law&Crime show no attorney of record. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. McKinleys son Tim Davidson Jr. called Wells a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial even started.. 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. 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. "I know it took a long time, but it was one of those cases we never gave up on.". 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. McKinley, 23, was last seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at a restaurant. 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. Investigators were secretly following Wells on March 4 when he tossed a cigarette out of his car, according to an arrest warrant. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. Wells was identified . "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. "It weighed a lot on him. He wasn't going to ever just say what he did on his own. Daniel Leonard Wells, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. Discover work experience, company details, and more. Browse . Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya . [emailprotected]. Detectives in Pensacola said "evil won" in the unsolved murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley "until today.". "Nothing could ever make up for losing my mom, but at least now we know what happened to her. Phone & Email (4) All Addresses (7) Family (3) was assaulted with a blunt instrument, causing blunt-force trauma to her head. Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. "Until today. Search for profiles by email and username. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. He is being held in Escambia County jail. 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. However, forensic science was yet to evolve in 1985, and with the police having no leads or suspects, the case went cold. This home is the most recent known address for Daniel. Assessor records link the name of Daniel Wells to thirteen properties, including . Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Cold case investigators. 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. The defendant got to live his life the last 35 years. McKinley in Pensacola, Florida, on the first day of 1985. Daniel departed this 2,006 square foot home in 2003. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at Darryls Bar & Grille. Uncover details about birth, marriage, and divorce. "(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. She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. 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. Check out The Morning News to get the latest news, weather and traffic in Central Florida. The officers found the victims high heel shoes and her purse, containing her drivers license, a few blocks from the scene. Records viewed by Law&Crime show that Wells, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday. 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. But for most of the time, they had no suspect in the killing of McKinley, who was survived by an 18-month-old son. BREAKING: Daniel Wells -- recently arrested for the 1985 Pensacola New Year's murder of Tonya McKinley -- has committed suicide in jail, deputies confirm. ", New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. We found 4 phone numbers and email addresses. 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. The price to rent a two bedroom unit in the zip code 32526 is around . Police credit Parabon NanoLabs with helping them break the case. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. . A family tree was constructed that eventually led investigators to Wells. 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. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. View their profile including current address, phone number 850-584-XXXX, background check reports, and property record on Whitepages, the most trusted online directory. 5 records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions., [Mugshot via Pensacola Police Department], Have a tip we should know? 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. "What is important is that no one forgot Tonya. The 1985 killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, say police in Pensacola, Florida. 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 arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Have a tip or story idea? Wells is being held without bond at the Escambia County jail. 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. He got to have a family. 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. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. No suspects had been publicly named. The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. 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. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. "There are people out there who know (what happened). The case went nowhere for years, but officers said they used Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case. "She can finally rest.". "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". 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, according to police. 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. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. 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,. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. 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. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was also. Wells was booked into the Escambia County Jail on Wednesday and held without bail. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. 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. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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, is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery in the 1985 murder of 23-year-old Tonya Ethridge McKinley. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic hair from Tonya's body and the crime scene. Uncover Daniel's photos, videos, and more , Personal details for Daniel may include . Cast, Scan this QR code to Download the NBC News Digital to thirteen properties,.. 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