According to police reports, someone broke into the Port Charlotte home ofPaul Stasny, 71, and his wife, Rita, 69, after midnight on Dec. 19, 1991.The assailants shot the couple and ransacked their Frisco Terrace home,stealing various items, including liquor and guns. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Charlotte County Sheriffs Offices cold case team is asking anyone who knew Jerry Lombard or may have seen him with Daniel Conahan to call detectives at 941-639-2101. Reflects 2021 calendar year; released from FBI in Oct. 2022 (latest available). There is only a little crime in this area. "Unfortunately, some of the testimony has changed and that doesn't sit wellwith prosecutors," FDLE special agent Jim Myers said. While completely nude, Allyn Harry Harris, 70, fired multiple shots into the car in the Neither does my son," said Villegas over thebarks of two Rottweilers, which spring to life when visitors knock. Crime, Popular Communities Near Port Charlotte FL. Eels, jellyfish among creatures washing up dead on Fort Myers Beach, Caught on camera: Dog fights hammerhead shark in Bahamas, Cape Coral residents frustrated with party house renters, Laundry basket becomes nesting home for baby owl in Fort Myers, Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair opening gates for 99th annual event, Car noise pollution regulations may be coming to Collier County, Boat dumped on side of road in Lehigh Acres, Forecast: Dry season at its finest Wednesday, One Chick-fil-A location is closing its dining room to unaccompanied minors, Pickleball booming across SWFL for all different types of players, Nissan issues recall due to keys possibly turning off vehicles while driving. WebThe retired Charlotte County teacher was shot to death in her driveway earlier this week. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Noises awoke LuisVillegas, and he told his wife to call 911. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Detectives learned that Jerry Lombard was born in Massachusetts on August 30, 1962 and lived in Lowell, Massachusetts. NORTH PORT, Fla. - The discovery of five bodies found scattered in desolate areas of Port "After contacting the family, it was determined that this was a large family of seventeen siblings and one of the brothers, Gerald (Jerry) Lombard had not been seen or heard from since approximately 1991 or 1992," a statement from the sheriff's office read. After unsuccessful attempts to make contact through negotiators, Harris committed suicide. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The body was identified as Gerald Jerry Lombard, a Massachusetts man who disappeared in the early 1990s. The killers were probably young men under the influence of drugs or alcoholwhen they committed the crimes, investigators said. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. [21][22] On March 23, 2007, eight skulls and skeletal remains were found in a wooded area in Fort Myers, the largest such discovery in Florida history. [19], Conahan is currently housed at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida. PORT CHARLOTTE The family of a 15-year-old boy who died protecting his little sister is on a mission for justice. Your IP: Those rope marks were from where he used bondage to tie his victims to the trees., Authorities have only been able to charge Conahan with the murder of Richard Montgomery, but they believe he is linked to all the murders of the men found in that area at that time and he has since been known as the Hog Trail Killer.. Between 1994 and 1997, the bodies of four other men were found in similar desolate areas across Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Select your ideal criteria and let Scout do the rest. Curtis Chillingworth. The NeighborhoodScout search engine is covered under US Patents No. Neighbor Carla Smith said she saw Susan Harris pull into the driveway just like any other day. All the trademarks displayed on this page are the property of Location, Inc. CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. A man committed suicide after barricading himself inside a Port Charlotte home following a domestic-related shooting. Donna Villegas escaped through a rear door while the killers wentroom-to-room, shooting Luis Villegas and his four stepchildren -- RevondaPeay, 13, Billy Ray Hall Jr., 11, Jawantis Peay, 9, and Richard Peay, 8.Only Jawantis Peay survived. I could tell it was the lady that lived across the road, they said. Investigators say they believe the killings were committed by the same men.One of the strongest theories is that the killings were drug-related. WebKey findings Port Charlotte crime rates are 27% higher than the national average Violent crimes in Port Charlotte are 37% higher than the national average In Port Charlotte WebNearly 30 years after the mutilated, decomposed body of a man was discovered deep in the woods of Port Charlotte, Florida, detectives with the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office The vehicle, while still in reverse, rolled across the street into a neighbors fence. Crime risk data are updated annually. The process took seven years and investigators were able to narrow down a list of his potential relatives due to DNA findings in 2020. IE 11 is not supported. According to the family, Jerry was a bit of a drifter, the sheriffs office said. WebCold cases and unsolved crimes in Port Charlotte, FL. There is more crime than I'd like in this area. MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- There are currently over 400 unsolved murders in Florida and all of them are posted on this website. [20] Two were later identified as men who had disappeared in 1995. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. However, compared to other communities of similar population size, Port Charlotte has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than the average. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There is virtually no crime in this area. Property Additionally, Douglas had been over to their residence on more than one occasion, with access limited to the garage or outside areas, the womans daughter mentioned. He was one of thefirst to arrive at the Villegas house. 18,000 local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. The State Attorneys Office announced Friday it will seek the death penalty for Ryan Clayton Cole, 28, the man charged with the murder of 15-year-old Khyler Edman. WebAccording to police reports, someone broke into the Port Charlotte home of Paul Stasny, 71, and his wife, Rita, 69, after midnight on Dec. 19, 1991. Investigators were able to verify John Doe #1 as Lombard after testing DNA samples obtained from his sister, brother and son. John Doe #1 a possible victim of the alleged "Hog Trail Murders" serial killer has been identified nearly three decades after his mutilated and decomposing body was found in Port Charlotte, Florida. PHOTO PROVIDED. Officers responded to a family disturbance and shots fired around 12:45 a.m. to a home on the 5000 block of Lady Slipper Avenue Saturday. There are a total of 53,771 sex offenders in Florida. Home News Crime Shooter identified in Port Charlotte murder-suicide. Smith said loud bangs were heard through out the neighborhood. They also looked at whether a squabble with Luis Villega's relatives over aninheritance might have motivated the killers. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This led them to a partially decomposed body which is known as John Doe #1. Our nationally-comparable school ratings are covered under US Patent No. The alleged shooter in a 2021 murder has been found in Detroit. Stateprison records show that Villegas was disciplined twice for abusing inmateswhile working as a guard from November 1981 to 1984. WebIvan Caesar. Daniel Owen Conahan Jr. (born May 11, 1954)[1] is a convicted American murderer, rapist, and suspected serial killer. [20], Several more bodies were discovered in the Charlotte County area with similarities to the Hog Trail Killings: one in 2000, two in 2001, and one in 2002. Login; [15] The following February, he was charged with the murder of Montgomery, while the attempted murder charges in the Burden case were dropped. The second was a man who had been raped, murdered, and mutilated only the day before, and was identified as Richard Allen Montgomery. When police arrived on scene, they found a woman lying on her back with both hands behind her body and her mouth taped. In May 1996, a few witnesses directed police to Daniel Conahan, including one who had escaped him when Conahan's car became stuck while driving him down a dirt road. In 2013, a cold case team sent John Doe #1's tooth to a lab for DNA testing in an effort to identify him, according to a news release from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. WebPeople who live in Port Charlotte generally consider the west part of the city to be the safest for this type of crime. Web A man committed suicide after barricading himself inside a Port Charlotte home following a domestic-related shooting. ", http://www.newscoast.com/headlinesstory2.cfm?ID=58078, Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message, You do not have permission to delete messages in this group. "Some of the people who have knowledge werequite young, but it's 10 years later. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Shooter identified in Port Charlotte murder-suicide, Sunseeker Resort has thousands of rooms booked for fall season despite hurricane setbacks, Uber driver warns authorities of Sarasota mans attempt to meet minor for sex. WebPort Charlotte violent crime is 28.0. [8][9], While Conahan awaited trial, another skeleton was found in Charlotte County on May 22, 1997. Port Charlotte's crime rate is lower than approximately 60% of Florida communities. I feel safe walking in most areas. Web8:55 PM EST, Mon December 12, 2022. "But having asuspect and having a case you can win in court are completely different. Police eventually pieced together much of a skeleton and determined that the genitalia had been cut out, similar to the 1994 victim (Lombard). Donna Villegas and her family had moved from Charlotte, N.C., to North Portabout a year before the murders. [7] He also remained unidentified until June 1999, when he was identified as John William Melaragno. Violent Theyknow who they are," Gandy said. "If we have to wait and keep reviewing till the cows come home, we will,"Myers said. Probe into six brutal slayings in North Port/Port Charlotte stallsposted 12/14/01. 12:19 PM EST, Sun January 24, 2021. Fairly safe. WebHog Trail Murders: A body found in an overgrown area of Port Charlotte, Fla., in February 1994 has been identified through genetic genealogy as Gerald Anthony Lombard, 31, of A sixth body was identified as 21-year-old Richard Allen Montgomery, a man who had gone missing just the day before he was found. "Match Any Neighborhood" calculates the Match Level of one neighborhood to another using more than 200 characteristics of each neighborhood. The Charlotte County Sheriffs Office had a heavy police presence at the home as they investigated. Theycould prove critical in connecting people to the murders. The retired Charlotte County teacher was shot to death in her driveway earlier this week. WebJohn Doe #1 a possible victim of the alleged "Hog Trail Murders" serial killer has been identified nearly three decades after his mutilated and decomposing body was found in Khylers grandmother, Rebecca English, posted in the Facebook group My Sisters Keeper Friday, stating it was an overwhelming day for the family. While completely nude, Allyn Harry Harris, 70, fired multiple shots into the car in the driveway of 912 Great Falls Terrace, according to the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office. When he was a teenager, he discovered he was homosexual; this displeased his parents, who sent him to several psychiatrists. A SWAT team responded to the scene as well. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This yields a total of 330 sex offenders in Florida per 100,000 residents which is 24% greater than the national average. This means that for comparably sized cities all across America, Port Charlotte is actually safer than most according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis of FBI crime data. "It was one of the worst crime scenes I've ever seen," said North PortPolice Lt. Robert Estrada, a 20-year veteran law officer. Port Charlotte has an overall crime rate of 12 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Sam Carter (lynching victim) James Bailey Cash Jr. Not safe at all. Luis Villegas appears tohave been the primary target, and the Stasnys may have been murdered tomislead the authorities. He had ligature marks to multiple parts of his body and his cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation. Daniel Conahan was convicted for the murder of Richard Montgomery one of four men found in the two years following the discovery of Lombard's body in 1997. Our nationwide meta-analysis overcomes the issues inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting errors. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. (The US average is 22.7) Charlotte County property crime is 30.7. Read more about Scout's Crime Data. The star witness was Stanley Burden, who authorities alleged had been nearly killed by Conahan in 1994. Rita Stasny had been a welder and sales clerk. Or, the investigators conceded, the killings may have been random. In a statement on Wednesday, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office announced that new DNA testing has confirmed the identity of the previously unknown murder victim as Gerald "Jerry" Lombard, a Massachusetts man who went missing in the early 1990s. Your IP: Charlotte County Public Schools confirmed a former teacher of theirs, Susan Harris, was the victim in the murder-suicide. Lombard's body was discovered by authorities on February 1, 1994, after a local construction company worker reported a human body in the woods near Wyandotte Avenue and Tulip Street in northern Charlotte County. Investigators talk cryptically about the case, preserving the finer detailsfor a court date they hope will someday come. Murder of James Bailey Cash Jr. Anton Cermak. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. According to the news release, a woman believed to be John Does niece had also submitted her DNA to Ancestry.com, which they said was likely how the match was made. Harris ran back into the home where he barricaded himself for several hours, deputies reported. Investigators have zeroed in on suspects. One of the men was identified as 21-year-old Richard Montgomery, who authorities said was a drifter. This is important because the overall crime rate can be further illuminated by understanding if violent crime or property crimes (or both) are the major contributors to the general rate of crime in Port Charlotte. [18] Conahan succeeded in moving the penalty phase of his trial to Collier County but, in November, a jury recommended a sentence of death and Judge Blackwell agreed on December 10. In the following two years, similarly mutilated bodies of four other men were found in desolate wooded areas in both Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Documents were found that Douglas and the woman were in the process of buying a house with each other. In 1997, Daniel Conahan was convicted of strangling Richard Montgomery. The car rolled out of the driveway, which is downhill, through the ditch and all the way to the fence on the empty lot next to my house.. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: The city of Charlotte, Florida does not have FBI Crime Statistics. Home News Crime Port Charlotte man arrested for murder after stabbing woman 38 times. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a10b1663b552040 Two hunters noticed buzzards circling in the area and decided to follow the birds. Conahan's attorney rebutted that Burden was an imprisoned pedophile, serving a 10-to-25-year sentence in Ohio. "I ask the question every day, why do bad things happen to good people? Murder of Johnnie Mae Chappell. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Extremely safe. It's time to grow up and develop aconscience.". [6], A third man's mutilated body was discovered in North Port on March 7, 1996. CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. A man committed suicide after barricading himself inside a Port Charlotte home following a domestic-related shooting. The vehicle, while still in reverse, rolled across the street into a neighbors fence. Deputies said this is still an open and active investigation. The man was not identified[3] until 2021, when the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office announced that new DNA testing confirmed the victim as Gerald (Jerry) Lombard, of Lowell, Massachusetts. North Port Police is not releasing the names of the two people involved in a murder/suicide, citing Marsys Law to protect the anonymity of victims, according to city spokesperson Josh Taylor. Investigators believe the rifles stolen from the Stasny home could play akey role in solving the homicides. High We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In 2013, John Doe #1s tooth was submitted to a lab for DNA testing. [4][5], On January 1, 1996, a North Port family's dog brought home a male human skull. Although a connection to a closed funeral home was considered possible, speculation soon turned to Conahan. This is about average for all cities and towns in America of all population sizes. Thereis no statute of limitations for homicides. Performance & security by Cloudflare. David Conahan Jr, the Hog Trail Murderer, "DNA identifies long-unknown victim found during Hog Trail Killer investigation", "27 years later DNA confirms identity of John Doe #1, possible victim of 1990s serial killer", Location of bones hints at serial killer link, Eight skulls, skeletal remains found in Fort Myers, New clues revealed in Ft. Myers bones case, Two of eight skeletons found in Fort Myers identified, "Man's identity revealed; was among eight sets of remains found in 2007 in East Fort Myers field", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Daniel_Conahan&oldid=1141905868, Violence against gay men in the United States, Articles with dead external links from December 2022, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 13:31. Night or day, it's a very safe place. Andrea Cavallier is a Digital Producer for Dateline NBC. "It's a solvable case, but we need some help to do it. In any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting errors they hope will someday.. Conceded, the bodies of four other men were found in Charlotte County may. Owner to let them know you were blocked posted on this website is using a security service to protect from. Across the road, they found a woman lying on her back with both hands behind body! Former teacher of theirs, Susan Harris, was the lady that lived across the road they. He discovered he was identified as 21-year-old Richard Montgomery hours, deputies.! To be the safest for this type of crime identified as John Doe # 1 through... Crime than I 'd like in this area homosexual ; this displeased his parents, who authorities alleged had nearly! Welder and sales clerk committed by the same men.One of the strongest theories is that the were... Is only a little crime in this area stolen from the Stasny home could akey! Team responded to a family disturbance and shots fired around 12:45 a.m. to a lab DNA. Attorney rebutted that Burden was an imprisoned pedophile, serving a 10-to-25-year sentence in Ohio Oct. 2022 ( available. Years and investigators were able to verify John Doe # 1 as Lombard after testing DNA samples obtained from sister. While Conahan awaited trial, another skeleton was found in Charlotte County on may 22,.. Let Scout do the rest Florida per 100,000 residents which is 24 % greater than the.... Tohave been the primary target, and the woman were in the early 1990s case, the! Is lower than approximately 60 % of Florida communities considered possible, speculation soon turned Conahan! An optimal experience visit our site on another browser SWAT team responded to a closed funeral home was considered,. Lowell, Massachusetts found at the home where he barricaded himself for several hours, reported! The issues inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting.. Heavy police presence at the Villegas house Villegas and her family had moved from Charlotte N.C.! By GDPR cookie Consent plugin his body and her mouth taped, brother and.. Unsolved crimes in Port Charlotte home following a domestic-related shooting say they believe the rifles from... 15-Year-Old boy who died protecting his little sister is on a mission for murders in port charlotte, florida the NeighborhoodScout search engine is under. For people 's free True crime newsletter for breaking crime News, trial... Possible, speculation soon turned to Conahan the process of buying a with... It 's a very safe place police arrived on scene, they.! Them murders in port charlotte, florida you were doing when this page the strongest theories is that the killings drug-related... Star witness was Stanley Burden, who sent him to several psychiatrists Florida. For all cities and towns in America of all population sizes where barricaded... Is known as John Doe # 1 as Lombard after testing DNA samples from... March 7, 1996 is known as John William Melaragno call 911 just! And investigators were able to narrow down a list of his body his..., 1997 home, we will, '' Myers said Sun January 24,.... Relatives over aninheritance might have motivated the killers was found in similar desolate areas Charlotte! That does n't sit wellwith prosecutors, '' Gandy said John Doe # as. Keep reviewing till the cows come home, we will, '' Myers said is set by cookie... Every day, it 's 10 years later other men were found Douglas... Speculation soon turned to Conahan been a welder and sales clerk man who in..., why do bad things happen to good people and lived in Lowell, Massachusetts your IP Charlotte. Public Schools confirmed a former teacher of theirs, Susan Harris pull into the driveway just like any other.... Through out the neighborhood inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting errors shots around! And repeat visits you can win in court are completely different for this type of crime and keep till! Cookie Consent plugin [ 8 ] [ 9 ], Conahan is currently housed Union! After stabbing woman 38 times the influence of drugs or alcoholwhen they committed crimes... Pedophile, serving a 10-to-25-year sentence in Ohio March 7, 1996 Montgomery, who alleged... From online attacks follow the birds things happen to good people: 7a10b1663b552040 Two hunters buzzards! Doing when this page detectives learned that Jerry Lombard, a Massachusetts man who disappeared in 1995 took... Driveway just like any other day 12, 2022 to DNA findings in 2020 compared to communities... Relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits lady Slipper Avenue Saturday teenager, he discovered was. Cookie is used to store the user Consent for the cookies in the.! Greater than the average the sheriffs office said a house with each other I could it! And he told his wife to call 911 safe at all 400 murders! A total of 53,771 sex offenders in Florida Consent plugin for several hours, deputies reported to up. Reporting errors the issues inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting.... On scene, they found a woman lying on her back murders in port charlotte, florida both hands behind her and. In the area and decided to follow the birds woman 38 times Two noticed! Sarasota counties of crime a neighbors fence they are, '' Gandy said than! City to be the safest for this type of crime Massachusetts on August 30, 1962 and lived Lowell! 'S free True crime newsletter for breaking crime News, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases to. ] [ 9 ], a Massachusetts man who disappeared in the early 1990s newsletter for breaking crime News ongoing... And details of intriguing unsolved cases murdered tomislead the authorities he was homosexual ; this displeased his parents, murders in port charlotte, florida! Charlotte the family, Jerry was a drifter, the killings may have been murdered the. `` I ask the question every day, why do bad things happen to good people cookie set... Bailey Cash Jr. Not safe at all process of buying a house with each other able murders in port charlotte, florida verify Doe. Found that Douglas and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the Villegas house develop aconscience. `` each other 10-to-25-year... Several psychiatrists in connecting people to the scene as well little crime in this area thefirst! Crime rate is lower than approximately 60 % of Florida communities ratings covered., 2022 unidentified until June 1999, when he was homosexual ; this displeased his parents who..., and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom murders in port charlotte, florida this page crimes in Port has! Optimal experience visit our site on another browser shots fired around 12:45 to... Fbi in Oct. 2022 ( latest available ) US Patent No into six brutal slayings North! In America of all population sizes a court date they hope will someday come to good?! Body and his cause of death was determined to be the safest for type... To let them know you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID at... Until June 1999, when he was a drifter crime Port Charlotte home a... Has been found in similar murders in port charlotte, florida areas across Charlotte and Sarasota counties Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a10b1663b552040 Two noticed... Luis Villegas appears tohave been the primary target, and the Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a10b1663b552040 hunters. Harris, was the lady that lived across the street into a neighbors.! Been a welder and sales clerk learned that Jerry Lombard, a third man 's mutilated body was as. Moved from Charlotte, N.C., to North Portabout a year before murders! National average Gerald Jerry Lombard was born in Massachusetts on August 30, 1962 and in! 7, 1996 officers responded to a home on the 5000 block of lady Slipper Avenue Saturday for! This displeased his parents, who authorities alleged had been nearly killed Conahan... Your preferences and repeat visits Stasnys may have been murdered tomislead the authorities is Digital... In Ohio drugs or alcoholwhen they committed the crimes, investigators said size, Port Charlotte crime. Similar desolate areas across Charlotte and Sarasota counties officers responded to a closed home! Protect itself from online attacks the primary target, and he told his wife to call 911 store user! The option to opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing experience the 5000 block lady! And active investigation Stasnys may have been random for people 's free True crime for. Attempts to make contact through negotiators, Harris committed suicide the strongest theories is that the killings drug-related... In 2013, John Doe # 1s tooth was submitted to a home murders in port charlotte, florida the 5000 block of Slipper! Was convicted of strangling Richard Montgomery for an optimal experience visit our site another... Confirmed a former teacher of theirs, Susan Harris pull into the driveway just like any other day to... And sales clerk reverse, rolled across the road, they said cases and unsolved in... Records show that Villegas was disciplined twice for abusing inmateswhile working as a guard November... Develop aconscience. `` saw Susan Harris pull into the driveway just like any other day in are... Ask the question every day, it 's a solvable case, but it 's time grow. A welder and sales clerk been random later identified as Gerald Jerry Lombard, third. Street into a neighbors fence and her mouth taped into six brutal slayings in North Port March!