Florida man who contacted police about 1987 killing arrested in connection to cold case

A Florida man who contacted authorities saying he had information about a 1987 killing was instead arrested and facing a murder charge, investigators said Thursday.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced that Gary Edward Glowacz, 70, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the killing of 20-year-old Melissa Ellison.

Police said Glowacz contacted the sheriff’s office Wednesday and told investigators he wanted to provide information about Ellison’s death.

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Detectives interviewed Glowacz before obtaining an arrest warrant.

He was booked into the Duval County Jail on charges of murder and burglary with battery.

Officials celebrated the arrest, which comes nearly four decades after the case went cold.

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“Television shows condition us to believe that homicide cases that are not solved within the first 48 hours will not be solved,” Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said during a news conference. “That is patently false.”

“While his arrest cannot fill the enormous void left in the hearts of Melissa Ellison’s loved ones, I hope that this arrest is another step in the healing process,” he added.

Police responded to a home on Colejean Road at about 4:40 a.m. on Dec. 28, 1987, after receiving a report of a deceased person.

Ellison’s body was found by authorities in her bed with injuries consistent with blunt force trauma, according to police.

Investigators said Ellison’s roommates checked on her after hearing her toddler crying on the living room couch.

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The sheriff’s office thanked First Coast Crime Stoppers, the State Attorney’s Office, Project Cold Case and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for their work on the investigation.