JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office announced that it is collaborating with the state of Florida to help solve cold cases.
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Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and State Attorney Melissa Nelson discussed the Florida Sheriff’s Association Cold Case Advisory Commission’s objectives at a press conference Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.
Cook will also be the chair of the commission.
Officials said resources dedicated to recent crimes can often draw attention away from cold cases. The commission intends to give new perspectives to cold cases across Florida by collaborating with other sheriff’s offices.
“The goal and the mission of this Cold Case Advisory Commission to network with other experts across the state and provide funding to agencies who need help in solving these cases,” Cook said.
She also highlighted a Clay County cold case murder of Teryl Orcutt, who was murdered back in 1990 on the side of County Road 218 while on the way home to Middleburg from Jacksonville. She was found stabbed to death, and her car running, with the passenger door still open.
Her sister, Cheryl, has suspicions about who was involved. She said it’s her life goal to get closure for her family.
“Then I would have kept my promise to my mother that I promised her on her deathbed,” Cheryl said.
The new detective working on the case said they have recently run some of the evidence through AI and have been able to get older pieces of evidence in better order.
She asked that anyone with information contact Crime Stoppers or use Clay County Safer Watch.
CCSO said the commission will discuss strategies and hear cold case homicide investigation case presentations on a quarterly basis. It will hear cases submitted by any state or local agent with the jurisdictions of the CCSO.
The commission can also approve funding for things such as DNA analysis.
“It’s important to not only keep names alive, but to bring to families who are waiting for answers and have questions...We’re really fortunate to have Sheriff Cook take charge of the commission and I think her leadership will breathe good life and energy into the commission as well,” Nelson said.
