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Cold Case Unit makes arrest In 1985 homicide

By Staff | Dec 10, 2008

Investigators with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit have arrested a man and charged him in connection with a homicide that occurred 23 years ago. Harvey Skrine, 50, was picked up in the area of Lincoln Boulevard and Wright Street in Fort Myers by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrants Unit at approximately 12:15 a.m. Dec. 10.

On April 21, 1985, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Lee County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation regarding the discovery of two dead bodies. A nude, black female, hands bound behind her back, was found in the street at the intersection of Acroft Avenue and Burr Street. A second body was discovered approximately five blocks away. This body was a black male, clothed, laying just off the roadway. Both victims had been run over by a vehicle.

Shortly after their discovery, a 1975 Cadillac automobile was discovered abandoned along the shoulder of the road on the north side of the west bound lane of State Road 82, approximately one quarter of a mile from the intersection of Buckingham Road. The car was found to have blood, hair and fresh remnants covering the undercarriage and the right side of the car.

The subsequent investigation revealed the female was Joyce Ann Hayes, with a date of birth of 3-25-56. The male was Walter Mitchell, with a date of birth of 4-15-35.

Acting on a tip, investigators zeroed in on Skrine. According to reports, he admitted being with Mitchell hours before the homicide but denied any involvement. Subsequent examination of Skrine’s T-shirt revealed that the shirt was reportedly speckled, front and back, with blood. It was found to be the same blood type as that of victim Joyce Ann Hayes, authorities said. Though they had suspicions, investigators at the time lacked conclusive evidence.

In April 2008, cold case investigators were able to track down relatives of Hayes for the purpose of creating a DNA profile. The swabs and the T-shirt of Skrine were sent to the crime lab of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The examination revealed that the blood speckled on the front and back of Skrine’s T-shirt matched the DNA profile of Hayes, officials said.

Considering the substantial circumstantial evidence, as well as statements made by the suspect and the DNA match to the victim, Cold Case investigators finally had what they needed to charge Skrine with second degree murder in the death of Joyce Ann Hayes. Investigators suspect Skrine is also responsible for the death of Walter Mitchell and continue working that part of the case.

This is the seventh case to be solved by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit, which was formed four years ago. Investigators continue work on the roughly 50 cold cases that remain.

If you have any information on the 1985 deaths of Joyce Ann Hayes and Walter Mitchell, call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.