Cold Cases
If you have information on any of the following cold cases and wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099 or submit a web tip. You can also send mobile tips using the P3 Tips mobile application.
If the information you provide to Crime Stoppers on any of these cold cases leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. To be eligible for this reward, you must contact Crime Stoppers directly and submit an anonymous tip.
Crime Stoppers will not pay a reward for information that has already been provided to law enforcement.
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Cold Case Homicide Investigation - 2021 Shooting Death
On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at approximately 6:35 P.M., officers from the Lake City Police Department were dispatched to 810 NE Sam Court in reference to a person being shot.
Upon arrival, officers discovered two individuals at the scene. One male victim was found lying in the prone position with a severe gunshot wound and no signs of life. CPR was initiated by officers while a second male, also injured, was treated on-scene and transported by EMS. Medics pronounced the first victim deceased at 6:51 P.M.
Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division responded along with agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. A crime scene perimeter was established and evidence collected. The deceased was later identified as Deontay Lewis Farmer 29.
Despite significant efforts during the initial investigation and numerous follow-ups, this case remains unsolved. The Lake City Police Department is now seeking the community’s assistance in bringing closure to the family and justice to those responsible.
“We are committed to solving this case and giving answers to Mr. Farmer’s family,” stated Chief of Police Gerald Butler. “We believe someone in our community has information that can help. We urge you to come forward.”
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is encouraged to contact the Lake City Police Department at (386) 752-4343 or report information anonymously through the LCPD TIPS line at (386) 719-2068 or Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099.
Macclenny, FL- On Friday, January 5th, 2024, Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. Executive Director Jason Futch and Board Treasurer Randy Roberts traveled to Macclenny, Florida to speak with investigators regarding a decade’s old homicide with Columbia County ties from 1991.
Speaking with Lieutenant David Mancini of the Baker County Sheriff’s Office and his team of investigators, Futch and Roberts were able to discuss their interest in the cold case of Kathy Barnaik, a 24-year-old woman from Jacksonville, FL who was found deceased in a duffle bag in 1993; 18 months after being reported missing in Jacksonville.
Due to Barnaik’s last known whereabouts, Lake City and Columbia County, Executive Director Futch was interested in assisting BCSO with resources that Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. could offer. Using his prior experience as an investigator with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office from 1981-2001, Treasurer Roberts used his knowledge of the area at the time to attempt to identify areas where Barnaik was last seen in 1991.
“We are confident that we can offer assistance to the Baker County Sheriff's Office,” stated Executive Director Futch, “As we were able to review what was done in the past 30 years, we believe that the Barnaik case can be solvable. And with the added help of attempting to tie loose ends on the Columbia County side, I am confident we can be of help.”
Barnaik was last seen in December 1991 at a truck stop in Columbia County. She had reached out to her stepfather trying to get a ride back to Jacksonville after a job she took fell through. After declining to pick his stepdaughter up, Barnaik’s stepfather stated to investigators at the time that she informed him two truck drivers were going to take her back to Jacksonville. She did not provide a description of the drivers or their truck.
After not hearing from Barnaik for a while, the family reported her missing to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in 1992.
In July of 1993, two men were fishing under a bridge on Interstate 10 in Baker County when their dog alerted to a duffle bag nearby. Inside contained decomposed human remains.
Though the Medical Examiner’s Office was able to identify Barnaik, they could not identify how she may have died.
The case was handled by BCSO and interviews were held with numerous individuals including the employer that had hired Barnaik in Lake City. He stated the last time that he saw Barnaik was when he dropped her off on the side of the road near the truck stop she called home from in December 1991. The man that hired her has since passed away and is currently not considered a suspect in the case.
Since reopening the case, Lt. Mancini has remained vigilant in solving her case. He has made efforts to have the evidence analyzed for possible DNA and has reviewed countless cases across the country for similarities in hopes of linking this investigation to one or more known offenders.
“I am grateful for the assistance offered by Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. and for the work they do across the region,” Lt. Mancini said, “With a fresh set of eyes, ideas and years of experience to the profession as well as to the area that Barnaik was last believed to be alive, I am hopeful that a successful resolution can be brought to this investigation.”
If you have any information regarding Kathy Barnaik’s homicide, please contact Lt. Mancini at 904-259-2861. To report a tip and remain anonymous, you may contact Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099. You will remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000. You can also dial **TIPS from your mobile phone, which will connect you with a Crime Stoppers operator.
STANDARD OIL SERVICE STATION
On July 30th, 1971 a homicide occurred at the Standard Oil Service Station in Lake City, FL at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Highway 441 North. According to reports, two black males came to the station in the early morning hours, roughly around 2:00 am. The two men stole money from the cash register located outside the store and then placed the store clerk and a customer in an office area. One of the suspects shot each of the victims in their legs. The Station attendant, Mark Brotherton, died at the scene. The customer survived his injuries.
The customer stated he had broken down on the interstate that night. He was towed to the gas station by “two long haired boys driving a Volkswagen van.” It was possibly cream colored with black curtains and a Budweiser label in the back window. The two men who towed the customer, who are not suspects, stated they were going to “LA" per the report, which could be Louisiana or Los Angeles. They told the customer they planned to stop in Panama City. The two men stayed for a few minutes and the suspects arrived around that time. The suspects did not take any actions until the men in the van left.
Jarrick Benard Lindsey
In April 2008, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division began an investigation into a missing person, Jarrick Benard Lindsey, 21. Jarrick had not been seen for approximately a month and was reported missing by his mother, who felt “something bad” had happened to him.
Jarrick lived between Lake City and Fort White area and initial interviews with several associates revealed he might be hiding due to an arrest warrant. Although Jarrick did in fact have a minor warrant, no one has seen or heard from him since the report. Jarrick’s mother stated prior to his disappearance, he regularly contacted her several times a week, which has since stopped.
Linda Raulerson
On July 22, 2008, Linda Raulerson was shot and killed during a robbery of the Joy Food convenient store located at Hwy 441 and I-10 in Columbia County, Florida. The suspect is a black male, medium build, approximately 5’10” to 6’1” and was driving a 1993-1995 white Buick Regal.
James Louis Wilson, Sr.
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On September 1, 2006, 62-year-old James Louis Wilson, Sr. was found shot at his residence off Baugh Street in Columbia County, Florida. Wilson was the victim of an apparent home invasion robbery.
Melvin Vasco Harrington
On May 26, 2005, the body of 75-year-old Melvin Vasco Harrington was located at his residence on Hwy 441 in Columbia County, Florida. The victim’s body was nude and had suffered from a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Nancye Jenkins
On April 19, 1990, the body of 32-year-old Nancye Jenkins was located on Lake Jeffrey Road in Columbia County, Florida. The victim was found with blunt trauma to the* face and head. She was last seen at Little Bar in Lake City, Florida.
Darlene Messer
On September 18, 1989, the body of 36-year-old Darlene Messer was found floating in Swift Creek of Hwy 100A in Union County, Florida. The victim had blunt force trauma to the head. She was last seen alive on September 18, 1989 in Columbia County, Florida.
Laverne Mack
On April 7, 1988, the skeletal remains of 26-year-old Laverne Mack were found on eastbound I-10 in Columbia County, Florida. Her body was dumped in the woods. The victim was last seen alive on Center Street in Lake City, Florida.
Detra & Roshanda McGuire
On November 2, 1988, the body of 2-year-old Roshanda McGuire was located on I-10 between Hwy 441 and Hwy 41 in Columbia County, Florida. She was last seen with her mother, 23-year-old Detra McGuire, who is still missing. Detra’s 1988 black Nissan Sentra and its contents were located at Ellisville Truck Stop in Columbia County, Florida.
Pamela Gamble
On November 12, 1988, Pamela Gamble was discovered nude on Bunn Road off CR 131 in Columbia County, Florida. The victim was sexually battered and was wrapped in a blanket. The victim also suffered trauma to her body.
Joseph Ronald Sapp
On April 5, 1983, Joseph Ronald Sapp was shot at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Columbia County, Florida. The victim was outside of his vehicle and appeared to have been robbed.
Willie Mease Presley
On January 15, 1980, 36-year-old Willie Mease Presley was shot at Presley Place in Columbia County, Florida. The victim was located in the back room of the business laying on her side. She was last seen alive on January 15, 1980.