– Cold case murder victim identified as Marine who served in Vietnam
– Investigation takes twists and turns in identifying 1980 murder victim.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Marine Murder Victim Identified After 43 Years Thanks to DNA Testing

The remains of a murder victim discovered decades ago in northern Florida have finally been identified, authorities announced. William Irving Monroe III, a United States Marine who served in Vietnam, was identified more than 43 years after his body was found dead and partially buried in a hole in December 1980 in Pomona Park, a town about 60 miles from Gainesville, Putnam County Sheriff Homer “Gator” DeLoach revealed during a news conference on Friday.

Initially, the victim was determined to be a white man standing about 5 feet 6 inches tall by the medical examiner who evaluated the body. He had sustained a gunshot wound to the neck, blunt force trauma to the chest, and a hairline fracture at the base of his skull. Despite the case being investigated as a homicide from the start, authorities struggled to make progress due to the inability to identify Monroe, even after collecting hair and skin samples during evidence collection. No potential suspects were ever identified in the killing.

Monroe, a father of two, was last seen alive on November 15, 1980. He is believed to have died two or three weeks before his body was discovered. Monroe’s ex-wife lived and raised their children in Pomona Park, where he was last seen by a convenience store clerk. Three days before his disappearance, a driver for Simmons’ Labor Camp in Pomona Park reported picking up a man matching Monroe’s description in Orlando to work at the farm. The driver suspected that the man, now identified as Monroe, had wandered off the property.

Authorities believe Monroe was living in Orlando at the time of his death and may have been in Pomona Park due to his ex-wife and children residing there. He had ties to Putnam County, with speeding tickets confirming his presence in the area leading up to his murder. However, Monroe had not been in contact with family members for some time, and relatives were unaware of his whereabouts. There was no record of Monroe after 1979.

A breakthrough in the investigation occurred in 2023 when Captain Chris Stallings, from the sheriff’s office, resubmitted evidence samples collected in 1980 for testing by Othram, Inc. These tests enabled authorities to connect with Monroe’s relatives, leading to his brother, Richard, agreeing to the final DNA test that confirmed the victim’s identity.

While the identification of Monroe’s remains may be just one piece of the puzzle in identifying his killer, Sheriff DeLoach expressed that it brings closure to the victim’s family and allows them to properly memorialize him. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information related to Monroe’s case to come forward and report it to Stallings and his investigative team. Tips can be reported anonymously through the local Crime Stoppers hotline, which is offering a reward for information.

Conclusion

As the investigation continues, authorities are hopeful that more information will come to light, ultimately leading to justice for William Irving Monroe III. The identification of his remains after 43 years marks a significant milestone in the case, providing closure for his family and the opportunity to honour his memory.

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– Cold case murder victim identified Marine served Vietnam investigation twists turns
– Cold case murder victim identified Marine served Vietnam investigation twists turns.