Cold Case Investigations

Follow along as we investigate some of the cold cases from Central Florida, searching for possible links and any material evidence that may have been overlooked years ago.


Sumter County, Fl

On February 22nd 1972 at around 8 a.m. the bodies of 19 year old Shirley Elizabeth Whitten and 26 year old Roger Dale Higgins were discovered in the Oak Grove Cemetery at the end of CR 232 in Wildwood, Florida. Both persons were determined to be the victims of homicide as they were both stabbed multiple times. Shirley Whitten worked at the Union 76 Truck Stop at the time of her death. Roger Dale Higgins had just accepted a new position as a lumper for a moving company and had stopped in to rest at the truck stop with his employer. If you or someone you know has information regarding this case, please contact Captain Gary Brannen at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office by telephone at (352) 793-0222 or (352) 793-0278, fax # (352) 568-6653.

On September 17th 2007 the body of 20 year old Jaime Ortiz-Morales was discovered in a wooded area off of CR 656-G in the "Croom" area of Sumter County, Florida. The cause of death was determined to be homicide as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. The time of death was estimated to be sometime between the early evening hours of September 13th 2007 and the morning hours of September 14th 2007. The victim had a unique tattoo on his left upper bicep which may help someone remember seeing him. Anyone with any possible information, contact Detective Darrin Norris at the Sumter County Sheriffs Office by telephone at (352)569-1680 or (352) by fax at (352) 569-1605, or email at dnorris@sumtercountysheriff.org

On May 7th 2006 at approximately 1:01 p.m. the body of 30 year old Robert Lee Preston was discovered in a wooded area off of Interstate 75 in Sumter County. The victim's death was determined to be a homicide as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. He had previously been reported missing by his girlfriend after she last saw him on April 23rd 2006 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Anyone with any possible information, please contact Captain Kevin Hofecker at the Sumter County Sheriffs Office by telephone at (352) 569-1600 or (352) 569-1680, fax # (352) 569-1605 or by email at khofecker@sumtercountysheriff.org.