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. McKinleys son Tim Davidson Jr. called Wells a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial even started.. She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. She was half-nude, strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. 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. "(Wells) got to live his life the last 35 years. 5 records for "Daniel Wells" in "Escambia County". He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. 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. You may have heard that name before. With the DNA from the cigarette butt, they were able to positively identify Wells' as the man who raped and murdered Tonya in 1985. Investigators collected semen, head hair and pubic hair from Tonya's body and the crime scene. 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. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. Additional court records revealed Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 on battery and witness tampering charges. 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. Pensacola; Daniel Leonard Wells; Daniel Leonard Wells, Age 60. aka Dan Wells, D L Wells. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Years Day in 1985 at Darryls Bar & Grille. The 1985 killing of Tonya Ethridge McKinley, 23, has been solved, say police in Pensacola, Florida. 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. DNA left at the scene of the crime helped locate distant relatives of the suspect. He was set for a court appearance in the case on April 8 at 8:30 a.m. 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. 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. Around three and a half decades later, Pensacola police arrested Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, for Tonya's homicide. Records viewed by Law&Crime show that Wells, 57, pleaded not guilty March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. 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. The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". View their profile including current address, phone number 850-584-XXXX, background check reports, and property record on Whitepages, the most trusted online directory. . Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. Check out The Morning News to get the latest news, weather and traffic in Central Florida. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. 8 maja 2022. daniel leonard wells pensacola WATCH LIVE: Psychic on Trial in Spousal Swindling Case, WATCH LIVE: XXXTentacion murder trial 3 men charged in 2018 shooting death of rapper, WATCH LIVE: Murdaugh Family Double-Murder Trial, Law&Crime Looks Ahead to 10 Remarkable Criminal Trials Scheduled for the First Half of 2023, 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial, Prosecutors to ask judge to clear man wrongfully convicted in brutal rape and murder of woman whose body was found in trunk, Manipulative psychic coached 20-something woman on bilking and kissing 80-year-old businessman: Prosecutors, Elderly Florida man caught with over one ton of printed child porn images in home: Sheriff, Says it all: experts react to Buster Murdaughs facepalm during fathers testimony in double murder trial, Sedition Panda allegedly hopped over barricades to breach Capitol on Jan. 6, now faces felony charges, 'Says it all': experts react to Buster Murdaugh's facepalm during father's testimony in double murder trial, Elderly Florida man caught with 'over one ton' of printed child porn images in home: Sheriff, 'Sedition Panda' allegedly hopped over barricades to breach Capitol on Jan. 6, now faces felony charges, Unsealed search warrant reveals new evidence against accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger in grisly fatal stabbings of Idaho students, Former NFL running back sentenced to jail following brutal video of attack on ex-girlfriend that went viral, Ex-Beyond Meat COO pleads guilty to felony after taking a bite out of strangers nose in uncontrollable rage following football game, Mullet streaker bellyflops into pond at pro golfs Greatest Show on Grass before hes arrested, 82-year-old woman pronounced dead at nursing home, but funeral home found her breathing: Authorities, California Cops Looking For Man Who Left Human Remains On Police Station Counter, Why Man Who Sued Sheriff For Wheel of Fugitive May Have Claim: Analysis, Reality TV Fraudster Jen Shahs Accomplice Can Travel to Las Vegas for His CBD Business: Judge. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 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. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. Wells was booked into the Escambia County Jail on Wednesday and held without bail. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Explore the listing below to find Daniel's address, relatives, and other public records. Phone Numbers. Hes now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. Orlando police used the method in November 2018 to identify a suspect in the 2001 murder of Christine Franke and arrested Benjamin Holmes for first-degree murder. They found a dead body and immediately notified the authorities. But DNA in a public database eventually linked McKinley's killer to Wells' family and then to him, police said. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. He was born on 1-06-1962. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. ", Watch: PPD makes oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? 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. "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. Wells was being charged with first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery and was scheduled to be in court on April 8 for his first hearing in the case. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.". Or to keep it anonymous, click here. According to the show, she and her husband reminded Tonya after midnight that it was time to pick up their children and head home. 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. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. Renee said Tonya loved Rod Stewart and KISS and was trying to make a better life for herself when she was killed. According to police sources, the alleged murderer had died from self-inflicted injuries. 9 people named Daniel Wells found in this area: includes Pensacola, Gulf Breeze and Milton. 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. She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Daniel departed this 2,006 square foot home in 2003. 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. ADVERTISEMENT Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. He is being held in Escambia County jail. View property details and household demographic information related to income, investments, and interests. 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. Have a tip or story idea? Tonyas son Tim Davidson Jr. called Daniel a coward, adding that the defendant didnt even wait until the trial started. He said, Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. Daniel Leonard Wells, the defendant charged in her death, was found dead in his cell at the Escambia County Jail in Florida. However, forensic science was yet to evolve in 1985, and with the police having no leads or suspects, the case went cold. He wasnt going to ever just say what he did on his own.. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. Daniel Leonard Wells, age 50s, lives in Pensacola, FL. 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. daniel leonard wells pensacola daniel leonard wells pensacola. IE 11 is not supported. 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. We identified 991 records related to "Daniel Wells" in the state of Florida. Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The investigators initially could not find the cause of death or the identity of the body. 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. 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. 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. Pensacola Police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells, of Pensacola, was arrested Wednesday and charged with homicide and sexual battery. 3,876 court search results for people named "Daniel Wells" in the United States. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Police credit Parabon NanoLabs with helping them break the case. Arrest: Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. This was from an apparently self-inflicted injury, Escambia County Board of County Commissioners spokesperson Laura Coale told Law&Crime. The case went nowhere for years, but officers said they used Parabon NanoLabs to help them break the case. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. Click a city to find Daniel more easily. * Historical, vital, and court records and search results may require an additional purchase. Cops said they confirmed he was their suspect by getting his DNA from a discarded cigarette. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, is charged with homicide and sexual battery in the death of 23-year old Tonya . 1985 at Darryls Bar & Grille case murder using familial DNA Wells was arrested Wednesday and without! Arrest: Pensacola police announced Thursday that Daniel Leonard Wells ; Daniel Leonard Wells in Pensacola.! Wells ) got to live his life the last 35 years. `` and to... With helping them break the case March 24 and was set for an arraignment Wednesday crime. Case murder using familial DNA, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy self-inflicted injuries,! Killer to Wells ' family and then to him, police said is registered to Daniel Leonard Wells Pensacola. 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