Mary Alice Pultz : “1985 Murder Victim’s Beach Remains Identified”

A decades-old cold case in Florida has seen a significant breakthrough as investigators have finally identified the victim after years of mystery and speculation.

The case dates back to April 30, 1985, when construction workers stumbled upon human remains on a beach near St. Augustine, as reported by the Saint Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Initial investigations indicated that the victim was a woman aged between 30 and 50, and that she had fallen victim to a homicide.

Fast forward to 2023, where the remains were sent to Othram, a laboratory in Texas known for its advanced genetic genealogy techniques. Through their work, potential relatives of the victim were identified, leading to the positive identification of the remains as those of Mary Alice Pultz, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office.

Mary Alice Pultz, originally from Rockville, Maryland, was last seen by her family in 1968 before cutting ties with them. She left home with her boyfriend, John Thomas Fugitt, also known as Billy Joe Wallace, who was later convicted of another murder and died in prison in 1981 before his scheduled execution.

Fugitt remains a person of interest in the case, although authorities are exploring other possible leads.

Further examination of Pultz’s remains revealed surgical burr holes in her skull, indicating medical intervention to relieve pressure on the brain. A recent review by a medical examiner also uncovered evidence of nasal bone fractures, healed rib fractures, and fractures in the lower legs, as outlined in a statement from the sheriff’s office.

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The medical examiner’s findings suggest that Pultz suffered severe trauma requiring hospitalization after leaving home in 1968, unrelated to the later homicide that claimed her life, as per the sheriff’s office.

Authorities have disclosed that Pultz is survived by a son and a sister, who are now part of the ongoing investigation.

If you have any information related to this case, kindly reach out to the sheriff’s office via email at crimetips@sjso.org.