If you have any information concerning any of these cases, please contact Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations at (941) 861-4900 or by email at coldcase@sarasotasheriff.org. To leave an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at (941) 366-TIPS (8477), or submit information online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com, or text TIP109 then a message to CRIMES (274637).

CINDY ROGERS 
On April 7, 1992 the body of Cindy Rogers was discovered in a plastic garbage can floating in the pool at 4580 Gallup Ave. Cindy’s death was a result of a homicide. She was last seen a year earlier at the residence on Gallup where she had been residing. Cindy was reportedly in the process of moving out. Forensic examination revealed Cindy had been deceased for a long period of time and her body had only recently been placed into the pool.

ESCO HUNTER
On December 1, 1999 the body of Esco Hunter was discovered in a field near the railroad tracks in the area of 44th St. and Central Ave. Esco’s death has been ruled a homicide. Esco’s 1998 maroon van was found at the dead-end of Orange Avenue north of Myrtle St. The van had been burned as a result of arson. Esco was from the Miami area and was involved with rap music.

JEANA LYNN BURRUS 
On February 6th, 2007, the skeletal remains of a female were discovered buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area of Ashton Ct. in Sarasota. The case remained cold until November 2022, when the SCSO, working in conjunction with DNA Labs International Inc., utilized current advancements in DNA testing and genetic genealogy to make a positive identification. The victim was identified as 39-year-old Jeana Lynn Burrus. The investigation into Jeana’s death was further complicated as she was never reported missing by her family, and her whereabouts had not been questioned.

JENNIFER HUNTER
On October 29, 1989 the body of Jennifer Hunter was discovered in a parking lot of the industrial area at 2060 61st St. Jennifer’s death was a result of a homicide. Jennifer was last seen the previous evening. Jennifer had a history of prostitution and was known to frequent the area of U.S. Highway 301 and U.S. Highway 41. Jennifer is believed to have used the industrial area to consummate her prostitution activities.

JIM THOMPSON
On April 6, 1993 Jim Thompson was working security at the Club Mary Strip Bar (currently known as Cheetah’s) when he was confronted by three black males in the parking lot area. Thompson was shot and killed by one of the subjects in what is believed to have been a robbery attempt. In the weeks leading up to the homicide, several robberies of restaurants and grocery stores had occurred in the Sarasota/Manatee area. It is believed this incident may be related to that string of robberies.

JULIE KING
On February 27, 1992 the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the disappearance of Julie King. Julie had moved to Sarasota from the Philippines and was reported missing by her parents who still resided overseas. Julie had been living here with her husband, Lance King, at 1001 Cronley Place. Lance King related to investigators his last contact with Julie was in August of 1991, however he never reported Julie missing.

LISA SCHAFFNER
On October 23, 1982 the body of Lisa Schaffner was discovered in a field located at 2301 North Tuttle Ave. Lisa’s death was a result of a homicide. 

LUCINDA MCCLEAN
On September 12, 1989 the body of Lucinda McClean was discovered in a drainage ditch along Fruitville Rd. east of I-75. Lucinda’s death was the result of a homicide. Lucinda was last seen outside the Animal Clinic Bar on Swift Rd. on August 24, 1989.

MARY JO SHELLEBY
On November 10, 1973 the body of Mary Jo Shelleby was discovered in the roadway on McIntosh Rd. just south of Clark Rd. Mary Jo’s death was a result of a homicide. Mary Jo was attending Manatee Junior College at the time and was known to “hitch-hike” as a means of traveling. The investigation indicates possibly more than one person was involved in Mary Jo’s death.

PAUL COLICCI
On November 15, 1998 Sarasota County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the residence of Paul Colicci at 4239 Balmoral Way. Neighbors had located Paul deceased in the garage area of the home. Paul’s death was ruled a homicide. A witness reports that at approximately 10:00 p.m. the previous night he heard loud voices coming from the garage area.

ZANNIEL LEVERETT
On February 20, 2003 the body of Zanniel Leverett was discovered approximately 200 yards north of the intersection of 46th St. and Central Ave in a field along the railroad tracks. Zanniel had last been seen in the first week of February. Zanniel had a history of using and selling drugs. Zanniel’s death was ruled a homicide.

STEVEN MARTIN
On 11/21/91, Steven Martin was found deceased in a pond on Cowpen Road. The      cause of death was ruled a homicide. Steven was last seen alive during the early    morning hours of 11/21/91 at Celebrity Bar in downtown Sarasota. He was observed   leaving the bar with an unknown male.     

On 7/10/89, John Dunbar was found deceased approximately 2 miles east of Cow Pen Slough on Fruitville Road. The cause of death was ruled a homicide.  

EVELYN REY

On 8/24/88, Evelyn Rey was found deceased near 46th Street and Central Avenue. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. Evidence indicates Evelyn’s body was removed from an unknown vehicle and left near the intersection.   

JOHN VARRO

On 12/12/86, John Varo was found deceased in his vehicle on I-75 near mile marker 190 (River Rd). The cause of death was ruled a homicide. John had been driving northbound from Miami when he was murdered. 

On 2/25/86, elderly couple Phillip and Genevieve Harris were found deceased in their home at 3838 Clover Lane, Sarasota. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. There were no signs of forced entry. 

On 11/29/79, Douglas Borneman of Ft. Myers was found deceased near the intersection of U.S. 41 and River Road. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. Douglas was last seen in Ft. Myers on 10/21/79. 

On 2/6/15, Jose Rodriquez was found deceased at 12308 Urbino St., North Port. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. He was last seen alive on 2/5/15 while attending a family party. 

On 12/21/14, Vincent DiPina and Todd Thompson were found deceased at Kay’s Lounge, 4034 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota. The cause of death for both DiPina and Thompson was ruled a homicide. Approximately 100 people were inside the bar at the time DiPina and Thompson were shot. 

On 12/21/14, Vincent DiPina and Todd Thompson were found deceased at Kay’s Lounge, 4034 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota. The cause of death for both DiPina and Thompson was ruled a homicide. Approximately 100 people were inside the bar at the time DiPina and Thompson were shot. 

On 1/15/10, Michael Scarbrough was found deceased outside of 3014 Bunche St., Sarasota. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. 

On 4/29/09, Alberta Brown was found deceased in her home at 2221 24th St., Sarasota. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. 

On 3/7/09, Sharley Abu-Joudeh was found deceased in her home at 2570 Chester Ave., Sarasota. The cause of death was ruled a homicide.   

On 12/3/07, Brian Morrissey was found deceased at 2114 Bispham Rd., Sarasota. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. He was last spoken to on 11/29/07.   

On 5/4/06, Kevin Gilliam was found deceased inside his home at 4549 Gallup Ave., Sarasota. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. 

On 12/19/59, Cliff Walker, his wife Christine, and their two young children, Jimmie and Debbie, were found murdered in their home on Osprey Rd., Osprey. The causes of death were ruled a homicide. 

Todd Battaglino was last seen at the Royal Palm Marina in Englewood, FL on 1/7/19. He was operating a 20 foot 2014 white Parker boat named “Wendy B”, possibly heading toward Stump Pass. His vessel was found abandoned approximately 15 miles offshore. His whereabouts are unknown.

Newton Whidden was reported missing on 8/21/12. He was last seen leaving a pharmacy in Sarasota, FL. Evidence suggests he may have traveled to the area of Okeechobee County and walked away from his vehicle. His whereabouts are unknown.

Erin Scala was reported missing in June 2012. She was last heard from in May 2012, and was possibly in the area of North Sarasota. Her whereabouts are unknown.

Christopher MacQuarrie was reported missing in July 2010 after he failed to return from a boating trip. His abandoned vessel was found approximately 38 miles west of Sanibel Island. His whereabouts are unknown.

Carey Jones was reported missing from Euclid Ave. in May 2005. She reportedly left her home voluntarily with an unknown male. Her whereabouts are unknown.

Francis Martin was reported missing in March 1987. Francis reportedly met an unknown male in Sarasota and the two were heading to Ocala to purchase a horse. His whereabouts are unknown. 

Kladakis Konstantine was reported missing in March 1984. Kladakis was scheduled to fly to Canada, however, there are no reports to indicate he ever arrived at the airport. His whereabouts are unknown. 

Michael Watson was reported missing in October 1980. He was last known to be alive in December 1978. At the time of his disappearance, he lived in the area of Woodgate Lane, Sarasota. His whereabouts are unknown.