Latest news with #Stuller
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
DNA solves Florida cold case 33 years later
ST. CLOUD, Fla. (WFLA)— An arrest was made in a cold case that had gone unsolved for more than 30 years. The St. Cloud Police Department arrested Gene Stuller, 72, of Apoka, and charged him with the death of Julia Sue Wilbanks. Wilbanks was 27 years old when she died. Florida Attorney General's team investigates price gouging amid hurricane season Trump safe after what FBI describes as apparent assassination attempt Mega Millions $800 million jackpot won; $1 million winner in Florida On Sept. 23, 1991, Wilbanks' body was found off Neptune Road, and after an exhaustive investigation that included interviews, physical evidence, and DNA analysis, no suspects were identified, police said. Police submitted the DNA from the crime scene to the national and public database, where Stuller was identified in March as the suspect. 'The St. Cloud Police Department is committed to seeking justice for Ms. Wilbanks and her family, as well as other unsolved cases,' said Chief Douglas Goerke. 'As science becomes more advanced, it gives us an opportunity to solve cases that couldn't be solved in the past.' According to SCPD, Stuller was arrested on Monday and charged with second-degree murder and disturbing a dead body or clothing article nearby. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Apopka man arrested in cold case, unsolved for 33 years, police credit DNA advancements
The Brief St. Cloud police have arrested 72-year-old Gene Stuller in connection to the 1991 murder of Julia Sue Wilbanks, solving a cold case that remained unsolved for 33 years. DNA advancements led investigators to identify Stuller as a suspect earlier this year. ORLANDO, Fla. - A 33-year-old cold case has been solved with the arrest of a 72-year-old Apopka man in connection to the 1991 murder of Julia Sue Wilbanks, authorities announced Monday. What we know Gene Stuller was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder and disturbing a dead body or clothing/article nearby, according to the St. Cloud Police Department. Wilbanks, 27, was found dead on Sept. 23, 1991, off Neptune Road, about a half-mile west of what is now Old Canoe Creek Road. Despite an extensive investigation at the time—including interviews, evidence collection, and DNA testing—no suspect had been identified. Advancements in DNA technology led investigators to submit evidence from the crime scene to national and public databases. In March, Stuller was identified as a suspect through those tests, leading to his arrest. "The St. Cloud Police Department is committed to seeking justice for Ms. Wilbanks and her family, as well as other unsolved cases," said Chief Douglas Goerke. "As science becomes more advanced, it gives us opportunity to solve cases that couldn't be solved in the past." Stuller remains in custody as the investigation continues. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source The information in this article comes from the St. Cloud Police Department.
