Warning: Some readers could discover the main points to be distressing.
A Florida lady’s brutal killing practically 25 years in the past could lastly be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, in line with the Sanford Police Division.
Sherry Holtz, who was 50 on the time of her loss of life, was discovered lifeless on December 4, 1999, a day after she was final seen at a bar in Sanford, Florida, authorities mentioned at a Friday news conference.
An individual gathering cans within the woods found Holtz’s physique mendacity on a concrete slab about 20 ft right into a wooden line in Sanford, in line with Sanford Police Division spokesperson Bianca Gillett.
“This was … there’s no different option to describe it however a brutal murder,” Gillett mentioned.
Holtz’s neck was minimize and there have been indicators of strangulation, blunt power trauma and sexual battery, authorities mentioned.
A lock blade knife was discovered close to her physique with blood and different DNA on it, however for the reason that samples weren’t massive sufficient, it was troublesome to carry out testing in 2000, in line with Gillett.
Investigators preserved the knife and reopened the case in Could 2023. Authorities confirmed final month the blood on the knife was Holtz’ and extra DNA on the knife belonged to Gary Durrance, 74.
Sherry Holtz, 50, was killed in Sanford, Florida, in December 1999, in line with the Sanford Police Division. Sanford Police Division by way of CNN NewsourceDurrance, who was Holtz’s longtime boyfriend, was arrested on Thursday and charged with second-degree murder, Gillett mentioned.
CNN has been unable to find out if Durrance has obtained authorized illustration presently.
The couple lived at a house in Sanford with three different individuals who have been interviewed by investigators on the time of the murder. The roommates mentioned the couple had an argument and on December 2, 1999, Durrance kicked Holtz out of the home.
Authorities say Durrance had denied being with Holtz on the evening of the murder.
The bar Holtz was final seen at was about half a mile away from the place her physique was later discovered, Gillett mentioned.
“Sherry Holtz was brutally murdered and left behind within the woods as if her life had no worth. This was somebody’s mom, somebody’s daughter,” Sanford police chief Cecil Smith mentioned in a press release.
“Durrance will now face justice for the horrible and despicable issues that he did,” Smith mentioned. “I hope his arrest brings a bit consolation to people who beloved Sherry and have waited 24 years for this second.”
Durrance is being held at Seminole County’s John E. Polk Correctional Facility and has a courtroom look scheduled for September 10, in line with jail data.
CNN’s Chenelle Woody and Ashley R. Williams contributed to this report.
