Council Meeting Erupts Over Evidence Room Policies

Outraged to learn that despite a recent evidence room scandal, the BPD was storing evidence in a room adjacent to the city auditorium. May 18, 2020BRADENTON — Tensions erupted during Wednesday’s Bradenton City Council meeting when the council returned to the...

Lost ashes in vacant Bradenton lot were a mystery. Sheriff’s employee solved it

Sheriff Rick Wells did the honor in presenting the award to Kaczmarek. March 26, 2020Manatee When Renee Kaczmarek left her position at the Manatee County jail two years ago to serve as a property and evidence processor for the sheriff’s office, she didn’t...

DNA evidence on discarded cigarette leads Florida authorities to killer in decades-old cold case

  Daniel Wells was arrested on Wednesday and charged with sexual battery and the murder of 23-year-old Tonya McKinley, who was found dead on New Year’s Day 35 years ago. March 20, 2020The DNA evidence found on a discarded cigarette has allowed authorities...

Florida police make arrest in 35-year-old cold case homicide using familial DNA

DNA sample obtained from the scene of the crime through an open-source genealogy database and identified several different people believed to be distant cousins of the suspect. March 22, 2020PENSACOLA, Fla. – Tonya Ethridge McKinley was 23 years old and had an...

Sarasota Sheriff apologizes for destroying evidence in sexual assault, attempted murder cases

Prosecutors dropped charges; the suspect was recently sentenced to 25 years for a separate crime. March 19, 2020SARASOTA — An antiquated policy led a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant to destroy DNA evidence in two unsolved felony cases in the...

Pensacola Police HQ temporarily locked down after officers possibly exposed to fentanyl

Pensacola Police Headquarters is currently on lockdown March 10, 2020PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) – Pensacola Public Information Officer Mike Wood said three officers were working in an evidence room when one officer became lightheaded. He said the officers may have been...