Florida Cold Case Cracked After 38 Years

A nearly four-decade-old cold case in Florida has been cracked after a phone call from a 70-year-old man who claimed to have information about the murder.

On December 28, 1987, 20-year-old Melissa 'Missy' Taylor Ellison was found dead in her Jacksonville home, leaving behind her 13-month-old daughter, Casie.

The case remained a mystery for nearly 40 years, with no arrests made during the initial investigation.

However, on July 8, the Clay County Sheriff's Office received a call from Gary Glowacz, who said he wanted to 'set things straight' about Melissa's death.

Glowacz told detectives that he had struck Melissa with a log while searching for money during a burglary, and later provided details about the crime scene that had never been publicly released.

He claimed that he had not known Melissa died until he saw an article about the case in March, which prompted him to come forward.

Glowacz has been charged with second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery, and is being held without bond in the Duval County Jail.

For Casie Ellison, the arrest brings closure to a loss she has carried with her for most of her life.

She had tried to suppress her feelings about her mother's death, but they resurfaced about 25 years after the killing when her own daughter reached the same age she was when her mother died.

The case highlights the importance of persistence and new leads in solving cold cases, and brings justice to a family that has waited nearly four decades for answers.

The investigation into Melissa's death was reopened after Glowacz's confession, and detectives are now working to piece together the events surrounding her murder.

Glowacz's attorney and the district attorney have declined to comment on the case.

The arrest of Glowacz has brought a sense of relief to the community, and serves as a reminder that justice can be served even decades after a crime has been committed.

As the case moves forward, the focus will be on ensuring that Glowacz is held accountable for his actions, and that the Ellison family can finally find the closure they deserve.

The case is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on justice, no matter how much time has passed.

In the end, it was a phone call from a man who wanted to 'set things straight' that brought an end to a nearly four-decade-long mystery, and brought justice to a family that has waited far too long.