Florida Man Arrested in Connection with Girlfriend's 1999 Murder, Police Say
Officials have arrested a man from Florida in connection with a murder case that happened back in 1999, police shared.
Gary Durrance, 73, has been taken into custody as a suspect in the murder of Sherry Holtz that happened in Sanford, The Independent reported. Holtz and Durrance were dating around the time of the alleged murder.
Sanford Police Department conducted a press conference in which they announced that the suspect would be charged with second-degree homicide. "We are absolutely positive that the right man is behind bars tonight," said Bianca Gillet, a public information officer for the police department. "And he will finally serve justice and have to answer for his crimes."
Holtz's body was found on December 4, 1999, by someone who collected cans in a wooded area in Sanford, Florida, People reported. At the time of death, Holtz was 50 years old. She was discovered lying on her back on a concrete slab.
The primary cause of death was determined to be a cut on the neck the victim suffered, possibly during an assault. Authorities also noted blunt force trauma to the head, signs of strangling, lacerations on her upper body, and evidence of severe sexual trauma, the outlet reported.
"There is no other way to describe it but a brutal homicide," said Gillet.
Authorities found a blood-stained knife on the crime scene, People reported. Police claimed that the knife did not provide them with any clues because the sample was "insufficient in size for testing at that time," police said.
The investigators did use a sexual assault kit for analysis, but found no DNA, People reported. "Looking for DNA wasn’t as prolific as it is today," Chief of Police, Cecil E. Smith explained.
During the initial investigation, Durrance became a person of interest in the case, People reported. Police had learned that Durrance and Holtz had allegedly fought a few days before the murder, and the man had apparently kicked the victim out of their shared home. These findings were not enough to apprehend and charge him.
The murder case turned cold as the investigators were unable to get any breakthroughs in their proceedings.
The case was reopened in May 2023, and advanced technology helped investigators determine that the blood on the knife allegedly belonged to Holtz, and the additional DNA on the handle was of Durrance, People reported.
Based on witness statements and the new physical evidence, an arrest warrant was issued against Durrance on July 17.
Officials located Durrance in central Florida and arrested him on July 18, KKTV reported. Authorities revealed that Durrance's roommates allegedly told them that he was aware of Holtz's death before police began their investigation.
Durrance has been charged with second-degree homicide and is currently being held in Seminole County Jail, People reported. He has allegedly made certain comments to police that indicated his involvement in the murder. It is unclear if he has gotten any legal representation.
Durance is set to appear in court in September, KKTV reported.
Police are searching for Durrance's son, to inform him about the arrest, People reported. They hope that this development brings peace to the victim's family.
"We just kind of hope that this brings some peace to the family knowing that this individual who was a longtime boyfriend will now spend the rest of his natural life in jail," Smith said, People reported. "And have the opportunity to face justice for the things that he has committed to Sherry."