Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
Suspected serial killer Daniel Conahan (Credit: WINK News) On Tuesday, Fort Myers police found the identity of one of eight men whose skeletal remains were found in the woods in 2007, suspected victims of a Southwest Florida serial killer known as the “Hog Trail Killer.” The Fort Myers Police Department confirmed the identity of one of the men to be Robert Ronald “Bobbie” Soden. His remains were found in a wooded area of east Fort Myers. The FMPD cold case unit, working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Parabon Nanolabs, a private DNA analysis company, conducted a genealogy research program using DNA collected from one of the skeletal remains. Based on the data that was searched, a family tree was developed that found the probable identity of the person. FMPD cold case investigators then located the direct relatives of the potential victim and completed a direct comparison of DNA, which confirmed the identity of Soden. According to FMPD, Soden was 30 years old at the time of his last known contact with anyone, and investigators tied him to the Fort Myers area around that time. Family members were located in New Jersey, North Carolina and Washington. Investigators believe Soden, like the others who were found in the same area, was the victim of a serial killer that was active in the area at the time. Daniel O. Conahan, known as the “Hog Trail Killer” was identified as a person of interest during the ongoing investigation. Conahan is currently on death row in Florida for a murder he committed in Charlotte County in 1996. Robert Ronald “Bobbie” Soden. Credit: Fort Myers Police Department From 1994 to 1997, about five young men were also found murdered in Charlotte and Lee counties and detectives believe Conahan could be connected to all of them. They believe Conahan lured his victims into the woods, forced them to get naked, strangled them, and cut off their genitals. It was Conahan’s M.O., to tie up his victims, take photographs of them and murder them, investigators say. Investigators submitted DNA profiles for each of the eight male skeletons from 2007 to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. The database is a national clearinghouse for DNA profiles of missing persons and the unidentified dead. Public Awareness campaigns were also conducted by detectives and families that reported a missing family member submitted DNA samples for examination to the submitted profiles. Over time, three of the subjects were identified: Jonathan Tihay, Johnathan Blevins, and Eric Kohler. Soden is the fourth subject identified, but the investigation will continue until all eight of the victims are identified and their families are notified. WINK News spoke with Jonathan Blevins’s mother and she shared some thoughts about what happened when and since her son vanished. “He just left the house and said he’d be back … and he never came back,” Blevins said. Matthew Alberto leads the Fort Myers Police Department cold case unit, and he shared some thoughts with WINK News. “I contacted them to see what the update was, and see if there were any snags. And he said, no, we’ve got it,” Alberto said. “They established the family tree, brought it down to the parents, and then the siblings and our victim,” Alberto said. WINK News asked Alberto if he will use this technology to identify others in this cold case. “It’s a possibility,” Alberto responded. “And we’re looking at it. In fact, we’ve already started analyzing the next individual to see if we can get them started on it.” FMPD asks anyone who may remember Soden to contact FMPD at (239) 321-7700.