Fla. Man Said He Had Info About 1987 Cold Case. Then Cops Arrested Him on Suspicion of Murder

In a 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 twist to a nearly 40-year-old cold case, a Florida man has been arrested for the murder of a young mother after he reached out to authorities claiming he had information about her death. Gary Edward Glowacz, 70, is now facing serious charges in connection with the 1987 killing of Melissa Taylor Ellison, who was just 20 years old at the time of her tragic death.

Ellison’s lifeless body was discovered in her Jacksonville home in December 1987, following a welfare check prompted by her roommates who heard her toddler crying. The investigation revealed that she had suffered blunt force injuries, but despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, the case went cold for decades.

On July 7, 2026, Glowacz contacted the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, expressing a desire to share information regarding Ellison’s murder. This unexpected move led to an interview with detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, culminating in a warrant for his arrest.

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed the media, stating, “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.” Glowacz has been charged with second-degree murder and burglary with assault or battery, but it remains unclear whether he has entered a plea or secured legal representation.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities have yet to disclose any potential motive behind the alleged crime. What new revelations might come to light as this case progresses?