Florida Sheriff's Office Identifies Victim in Cold Case Homicide after Decades

After nearly four decades, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office in Florida has identified the victim in a long-unsolved homicide case. Advances in DNA technology and the efforts of dedicated detectives have brought closure to the family of Mary Alice Pultz, who was killed in 1985.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office has successfully identified the victim in a cold case homicide that had remained unsolved for nearly four decades. Through advancements in DNA technology and the tireless work of detectives, the victim has been identified as Mary Alice Pultz, who was last seen by her family in 1968.

In April 1985, human remains were discovered in a shallow grave on Crescent Beach in Florida. Initial investigations determined that the victim was a white female, likely between the ages of 30 and 50 at the time of her death. The circumstances surrounding the discovery pointed to a homicide.

Despite extensive efforts to solve the case, it remained cold for many years. However, in 2023, the remains were sent to Othram, a private forensics lab, for further analysis. Using advanced DNA extraction techniques, Othram was able to develop a DNA profile for the victim.

The DNA profile was then submitted to consumer genealogy databases, where users had voluntarily provided their DNA and consented to comparison searches. This search led to the identification of potential relatives of the victim.

Through further investigation, detectives learned that Mary Alice Pultz was born in 1943 in Maryland and was last seen by her family in 1968 after leaving with her boyfriend, John Thomas Fugitt.

Investigators discovered that Pultz had undergone a brain surgery sometime after 1968, as evidenced by burr holes in her skull. Authorities believe that she had experienced a traumatic injury that required hospitalization.

The medical examiner also found evidence of an abscess in her upper gum line that would have caused significant discomfort and pain. These injuries suggest that Pultz had experienced severe trauma prior to her death.

John Thomas Fugitt, Pultz's boyfriend at the time of her disappearance, is considered a person of interest in the case. However, he has since passed away. Fugitt was previously sentenced to death in Georgia for the murder of a male roommate in 1981 but died in prison before his execution.

Sheriff Rob Hardwick commended the detectives and forensic experts involved in the case for their unwavering dedication. "The combination of highly skilled detectives and advanced DNA technology has given Mary Alice's family some answers about her disappearance close to 40 years ago," he said.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is still actively investigating the homicide and encourages anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted via email to [email protected] or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).

The identification of Mary Alice Pultz is a testament to the power of persistence and the advancements in forensic science. It also provides a sense of closure for her family and loved ones, who have waited decades for answers.