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. 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. . He got to have a family. He wasnt going to ever just say what he did on his own.. Police arrested 57-year-old Daniel Leonard Wells (Escambia County Jail) A 57-year-old man has been arrested 35 years after the murder of a young mother in Florida. 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. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. 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. The cutting-edge forensic technology helped authorities identify multiple people as distant cousins of the suspect. Top Result for Daniel Wells in Pensacola, FL 1 The best result we found for your search is Daniel Ray Wells age 50s in Fairhope, AL. 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. Detectives said they spoke to dozens of friends and other revelers at Darryl's Bar & Grille, not far from where McKinley was found on Jan. 1, 1985. "Until today. 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. Jeffrey M Gallagher, Michelle L Phillips, and three other persons are also associated with this address. She 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. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest cold-case arrest in Pensacola history. May go by: Dan Leonard Wells Age. Phone Number: (816) 468-UYKW +3 phones. He got to be around his children and all those years he was out there, knowing what he did. "(Tonya) can rest now," Renee said after being told of Wells' arrest. Wells was identified after Parabon NanoLabs, a Virginia-based company working with the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, ran a DNA sample obtained from the scene of the crime through an open-source genealogy database and identified several different people believed to be distant cousins of the suspect. They found a dead body and immediately notified the authorities. 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. 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. 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. According to court records, Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 on battery and witness tampering charges, but the witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. 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. But for most of the time, they had no suspect in the killing of McKinley, who was survived by an 18-month-old son. The landline phone number 8165849629 is registered to Daniel Leonard Wells in Pensacola, FL at 5206 Cerny Rd. 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. Davidson was 18 months old at the time of the murder. Wells, 57, was arrested by the Pensacola Police Department on March 18 for the 1985 murder of Tonya Ethridge McKinley. In 1988, he was arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution in Pensacola. Pensacola, FL View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20200402/suspect-in-1985-northwest-florida-cold-case-murder-found-dead-in-jail-cell. Arrest: Pensacola police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case murder using familial DNA. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. 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. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. Daniel is related to Nicholas Lee Wells and Howard Snowden Wells as well as 3 additional people. You may have heard that name before. Daniel Wells was arrested in connection with the 1985 murder of Tonya McKinley in Florida. However, the cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and she was alsosexually assaulted. Court records did not indicate the outcome of that case. He was born on 1-06-1962. His age is 60. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. It was just a normal New Years Eve.. The presence or absence of records for any individual is not a guarantee of any kind. "There are people out there who know (what happened). She said, Her (Tonyas) world revolved around her son.. Their mother, Laverne, lives in Jay with Renee. 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. Its frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice, he said. Uncover details about birth, marriage, and divorce. Weve your back if youre interested in finding out more about the case and the killers identity. 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. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found dead in his cell at Escambia County Sheriff's Office in an apparent suicide Thursday morning. Edited: Suspect in 35-year-old Pensacola cold case solved by familial DNA commits suicide in jail By Tony Adame Pensacola News Journal 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. Emailus. 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. "There are people out there who know (what happened). 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. PENSACOLA, Fla. -- A 57-year-old man has been arrested for the 1985 cold case murder of 23-year-oldTonya Ethridge McKinley in Pensacola. It wasn't immediately clear whether Wells had hired or been assigned an attorney, Wood said Thursday. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wells had been found dead in his cell. He's now charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree sexual battery. Wells was identified after Parabon NanoLabs, a Virginia-based company working with the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, ran a DNA sample obtained from the scene of the crime through an open-source genealogy database and identified several different people believed to be distant cousins of the suspect. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was responsible, cops say, according to The Pensacola News Journal. Email Address: See available information. "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years.". 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. The arrest of Wells isnt an exception: cops say they found DNA at the scene of the crime. She was later found in an empty lot half-naked, officers said. Daniel Leonard Wells. Police surveillance teams then surreptitiously obtained his DNA from a discarded cigarette, which was tested and matched DNA found at the crime scene. Emailus. The arrest on Wednesday is the oldest . Name. His first hearing to face charges of first-degree. Search for profiles by email and username. She was half naked and had been strangled and sexually assaulted, Pensacola police officers said. 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Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. We located 9 sex offenders matching the name "Daniel Wells" in the US. Pensacola; Daniel Leonard Wells; Daniel Leonard Wells, Age 60. aka Dan Wells, D L Wells. 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. He has been charged with murder and sexual battery. He is being held.. 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. For thirty-five years.. [emailprotected]. Wells is being held without bond at Escambia County Jail and will make his first court appearance Thursday morning. 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. He wasn't going to ever just say what he did on his own. She had last been seen at a Pensacola bar shortly after the start of the new year. 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. A video appearance was scheduled for court to take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Current Address: EWZU Cerny Rd, Pensacola, FL. Using that, they and Parabon made use of an open-source genealogy database, used it to locate distant relatives of the suspect, and finally found the defendant, officers said in the Pensacola News Journal report. 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. All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Daniel Leonard Wells, 57, was found hanged in his cell at the Escambia County Jail early Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's office. Additional court records revealed Wells was arrested in Pensacola in 1987 on battery and witness tampering charges. "She can finally rest.". Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Wells was recently identified after a Virginia-based company working with the Pensacola Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ran a DNA sample from the crime scene through an open-source genealogy database and identified several distant cousins of the suspect. Now, it seems like we just have a lot more unanswered questions.. She recounted how they danced, met with friends, and partied till the late night hours of New Years Eve. The witness tampering charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to the battery charge. Tonya and Renee's father, Joe, died in April 2000. 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. We identified 991 records related to "Daniel Wells" in the state of Florida. He is being held in Escambia County jail. "It's frustrating for our family on a lot of levels because we waited so long to get justice. Daniel has lived with Polly in Pensacola, FL. She was later found dead at an empty lot. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. 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. 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. Uncover Daniel's photos, videos, and more , Personal details for Daniel may include . "Nothing could ever make up for losing my mom, but at least now we know what happened to her. Police credit Parabon NanoLabs with helping them break the case. "My mom, she never got to raise me, never got to be a part of my life," Davidson said after the arrest. 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. He was carrying it around with him and he was never going to tell anyone what he did. We did this time and time again. McKinley, the mother of an 18-month-old boy, was seen alive early New Year's Day in 1985 at Darryl's Bar & Grille. Read More: Matthew Winkler Murder: Where is Mary Winkler Now? 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