In 1993, Fort Myers Police Department began investigating a couple found dead with gunshot wounds.
Chester Simons and Deborah Popp were found fatally shot in bed andpolice determined that Popp was shot by Simons, who then died by suicide, according to Fort Myers Police Department.
The cases was solved in 1993, but in 2019, the Cold Case Unit was asked to revisit the case by the victims' family. After reenacting the crime scene, reviewing evidence and speaking with witnesses, police confirmed their original conclusion, public information officer with the departmentKristin Capuzzi said.
The work of Southwest Florida's detectives often involves revisiting old crimes such as those of Simons and Popp, but just as often they come up empty.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers lists 115open homicide investigations in Lee and Collier counties.
Here are ninecold cases from the 1990s yet to be solved:
David Benoit
Date:Sept. 6, 1992
Location:Fort Myers
Background:Benoit, 34, was a taxi driver who reported picking up a an early morning fare. His body was later found inside his taxi in a field near Market Street and Evans Avenue.
Benoit had been robbed and shot. His taxi was found a block away and his personal vehicle was stolen from the taxi company parking lot, which was abandoned on Interstate 75. His death was ruled a homicide.
Homicide arrest:Fort Myers police charge Amy Parks of Naples in 10-year-old double homicide case
Body identified:The body of Jerry Lombard was found in 1994 and identified in 2021
David Comparetto
Date:Oct. 16, 1993
Location:Lehigh Acres
Background:Lee County Sheriff's Office along with Lehigh Fire responded to a vehicle fire in the area of Agnes Avenue, Lehigh Acres, where they located Comparetto, 30, inside the trunk of his 1985 light blue Ford Tempo burned to death. He was last seen alive leaving his part time job at a Fort Myers Publix between 8:30 and 9 p.m. His vehicle was found about 11 p.m.
It is believed that the suspects were known to frequent local strip clubs, mainly Mermaids and Bert's, where Camparetto hung out. Camparetto's death was determined homicide. In 2008, investigators got a new lead in the case and were looking for information about a stinky, black, mid-sized, four-door Ford sedan with chrome wheels and accessories and dark-tinted windows.
More cold cases:7 Southwest Florida unsolved homicides from the 1980s
Charles Andrew McLenon
Date:Feb. 13, 1994
Location:Fort Myers Beach
Background:Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of 1560I St.,just south of the Lani Kai, for reports of a fire. Deputies found McLenon on scene with burn injuries.
He had been doused with fuel and set on fire. He told witnesses that his "roommates" had burned him.He was transported to the hospital where he died 33 days later,as a result of his injuries, on March 17, 1994. He could not tell police about his killer or killers.
Lester Davenport
Date:May 15, 1994
Location:Fort Myers
Background:Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to Carter Finley Funeral Home, 3696 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., where deputies found Davenport, 33, laying on the ground dead.
He was last seen at Nightingales Bar on Dupree Street. Detectives assumed the investigation and his death was ruled a homicide.
Patricia Arrango
Date:Aug. 14, 1994
Location:Fort Myers
Background:Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to Luckett and Northland roads in reference to a dead subject. Arrango, 24, was identified and detectives arrived on scene to assume the investigation. Her death was determined to be a homicide.
James Earl Green
Date:June 13, 1997
Location:Fort Myers
Background:Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to a disturbance in the parking lot of what was then known as Slugger's Sports Bar, a business in the area of 16440 South Tamiami Trail, where they located Green, 26, shot dead. Detectives assumed the investigation.
Keith Alan Jones
Date:June 19, 1997
Location:Fort Myers
Background:Jones, 27, was visiting Fort Myers from Daytona Beach with a woman who worked at a local strop club. The woman stated they were staying at the Tides Motel on First Street, Fort Myers, when three men pushed their way into the room and fatally shot Jones in the head after robbing them.
In October 2019, the State Attorney's Office announced that Michelle Ashley was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Jones. She continues through the court process.
Woman arrested:Arrest made in 1997 murder of Marine Corps veteran Keith Jones
James French
Date: Sept. 25, 1997
Location: Lehigh Acres
Background:The Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to a home on 4th Street Southwest, where deputies discovered French, 25, dead.
French's mother found her son when she got home from work in a pool of blood, shot in the head.His death was determined to be a homicide.
Cheryl Carr
Date: Aug. 8, 1999
Location: North Fort Myers
Background:Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to a rural area of Shelby Lane after a report of a dead female. Carr, 35, was identified. Residents driving on Shelby Lane saw Carr's body and called authorities. Investigators don't believe she was killed where she was found, and they believe because of the advanced state of decomposition of her body she died a few days earlier.
There were no obvious gunshot wounds or stab wounds, investigators said. They also found tire tracks near her body
Her death was ruled a homicide and the investigation continues.
Those withany information about these crimes or any person(s) involved are urged to call SWFL Crime Stoppers at1-800-780-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers willpay a cash reward ofup to $3,000if your tip leads to an arrest.Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or on the P3Tips mobile app.
