JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As new technology and forensic capabilities emerge, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is taking a look back at cold cases to search for missed or overlooked clues and this month, the agency's "Cold Case Spotlight" follows the death of a woman living on the Eastside from 1999.
JSO Detective Travis Oliver Sr., shared details in the death of Sheila Hughes.
Hughes lived with family on Jacksonville's Eastside. At the time of her death in 1999, she was 37 years old and living in a detached garage that had been turned into an apartment on the family's property.
Clouds covered the sky on the morning of Oct. 15, 1999. Hughes' family typically saw her around 11 a.m., when she would join her mother for breakfast. Noon came and went with no sign of Sheila.
"Around 1 to 1:30 (p.m.), the mom realized she had not seen the victim," Oliver said. "She sent the victim's nephew out in the garage to check on her, and the nephew found her deceased inside the detached garage."
JSO suspects her killer would have shared these interests. Hughes had been in a "steady relationship" and was also dating another person at the time according to Oliver.
JSO investigated potential leads, but eventually ruled out those persons of interest and the case went cold.
"I feel that you should put yourself into that family's shoes and that you want the justice for your loved one," Oliver said. "You would want people come forward and help you get the justice you need."
Anyone having any information related to Hughes' death is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904.630.0500 or email us at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000 First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1.866.845.TIPS or text **8477.
