May 20, 2024 | By: Jillian Lombardo This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class. Earline Johnson Bagler was a protective, caring, and loving mother who prioritized her family above all else. She was gifted in the arts and a loving auntie to her extended family. Earline strode through downtown Los Angeles, exuding the confidence of a runway model. Despite not having a home, her attire radiated the glamor of a star. “The last time I saw her, she was happy and laughing, and in good spirits,” said her si ..read more

May 13, 2024 | By: Caimhe Morrison, PCC Intern On February 13, 1993, Renata Bateman’s remains  were discovered in the desert off N. Pima Road in Scottsdale Arizona. Police reported that Renata suffered from blunt-force trauma to her head that was caused by an unidentified object. It is unknown when exactly Renata was killed, but news reports say she was last heard from on January 13, 1993. Renata was born in Phoenix and raised in Arizona. She was a mother to 5 daughters and dreamed of reuniting them after they were placed in foster care. Jalonda, one of Renata’s daughters, reflects upo ..read more

April 29, 2024 | By: Daria Mironova This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class. Brenda Smith loved cooking for her daughters. “She was a great cook, it seemed like everything she made was good. As simple as it was, my favorite dish was pinto beans with cornbread. I used to love it,” said her daughter Tonya. Brenda’s second daughter, Seina said, “Our education was a high priority for our mother. She encouraged us to strive to excel and to be our best! She wanted the best education for us and more tha ..read more

April 29, 2024 | By: Angelica Santini This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class. Timothy Thomas, Jr. was an outgoing person, and he was often described as the life of the party. “Timmy was my oldest son, the light of my eyes as soon as he was born,” said his mother, Robin Clemons. “Oh Lord, that was my pride and joy when he was born. When I laid my eyes on my son, it just did something to me. My son was just so special to me,” said Clemons. “That light would be put out too soon and unexpectedly,” s ..read more

April 22, 2024 | By: Xavier Ford This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class. Blake Chappell loved baking – especially around Halloween, when he would make candy apples and sell them to the community of Newnan, Georgia. His mother, Melissa Becker, said he loved Halloween, it was one of his favorite holidays. He looked forward to Halloween every year, not just because it gave him a reason to bake treats and watch movies, but because it allowed him to go trick-or-treating. Blake was always in the spiri ..read more

April 15, 2024 | By: Nadeen Kahok, PCC Intern Ronli Ratliff, her first name is conjoined from her father, “Ronald” as well as her father’s best friend, who passed away from a car wreck, “Warren Lee.” Ronli is also the name of a girl who was taken on April 15, 2004, when she was only 24 years old. The family’s firsts. Ronli was the first daughter, first niece, and first grandchild. “She was just one of those special kinds of people that you just want to protect,” said her Aunt Kimberly Sink. Ronli was the kind of person you would want to be around. She had a heart of gold and would always fi ..read more

April 8, 2024 | By: Thomas Herrold This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class. One of Barbara Clancy’s favorite memories of her father is the time he took her and her siblings on a trip to Florida. As a successful salesman, Thomas R. Clancy Sr. was occasionally awarded trips to faraway vacation spots – this time, it was flying to an upscale hotel in Miami. However, as a father of 11 children at the time, Clancy opted to forfeit his four awarded plane tickets, instead choosing to endure the lengthy d ..read more

April 1, 2024 | By: Crystal Anlage Johnathen Carter was an outgoing, funny 15-year-old. His mother Erica Carter said, “He loved to make people laugh, and he was always talking. He also was very popular with the ladies.” Johnnie, as he was affectionately known, was the 2nd oldest of 4 siblings. He was very protective of his big sister Taylor, and younger brothers Hayden and Noah. Johnnie loved books. His favorite of all time was Black Beauty. He also loved the movie Zombieland, which Erica said, “His brothers still love to watch.” One memory that still makes Erica smile is the time Johnnie t ..read more

March 25, 2024 | By: Emily Regalado This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class. Carmen Tuck’s grandson woke up on September 24, 2012 to his uncle hovering over him with an impressive stack of waffles. He told his uncle that he did not want any, but his uncle said to him, “Eat them waffles!” So, he did. Over a decade has passed, and Carmen’s grandson has never again eaten another waffle. His uncle was Zaair Tuck, 31 years old, who never returned to his mother’s home after he went out on a late-night ..read more

March 18, 2024 | By: David Combs This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class. David Manning loved to sing, not only for himself but for others as well. “David was a phenomenal singer. His voice was heaven-sent. He had aspirations of going to college to pursue his musical career,” said his sister Tamara Manning. Those aspirations were cut short on August 11, 2007. David Manning and Johnny Fisher were found shot to death in a green Isuzu SUV outside of a triplex off Kelley Avenue in Kissimmee, Florida ..read more