Annie Ernest: Florida woman's dead killer eluded police for four decades by using three different aliases

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES: The cold case of the Jacksonville Sheriff was recently resolved as investigators identified the murderer who operated under three aliases.

Adding context, Annie Mae Ernest, aged 38, was murdered on September 9, 1985. 

Ernest's 'lifeless' body was discovered in an open area within a neighborhood block, as outlined in a news release from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on January 11.

What happened during investigation amid Ernest's death?

During the investigation, detectives interviewed an's individual identified as 'Robert Vance', presumed to be the last person in contact with Ernest.

Vance initially agreed to a polygraph test but failed to appear for the interview, leaving detectives with an empty and abandoned apartment.

Efforts to locate Vance proved unsuccessful. However, during the search, it was discovered that 'Robert Vance' was an alias for Robert Richard Van Pelt.

Despite an expanded search for both names, authorities couldn't locate anyone matching either alias.

In July 2023, Ernest's family contacted cold case detectives, prompting a case review.

During the subsequent investigation, Jacksonville detectives uncovered that Van Pelt had fled to Tampa immediately after Ernest's murder.

There, he adopted the alias 'John Leroy Harris' and was implicated in the shooting of another woman in 1988, as per local police records.

Although the second victim survived, Tampa police records indicated that Harris died by suicide shortly thereafter.

Jacksonville investigators, drawing on evidence from both incidents, relevant state and local records, and an extensive fingerprint analysis, established that all three names belonged to one man: Van Pelt.

The cold case unit presented this information to the Florida State Attorney's Office of the 4th Judicial Circuit. Last month, the case was declared "Exceptionally Cleared – Death of Offender" as per CBS news.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office stated, "If Van Pelt were alive today, he would be charged with the murder of Annie Mae Ernest."

'We are forever grateful for his effort'

According to the family of Annie Ernest which is provided by Project Cold Case, "My brother and I are so thankful to have our mom's case resolved. We never gave up hope in the 38 years since this happened that the person responsible would be identified."

They added, "We have found peace in knowing that he has not been able to hurt anyone else since taking his own life in 1988. We are so appreciative for the support and guidance provided by Project: Cold Case since contacting them in July. Last, but certainly not least, we want to thank Detective Sullivan. We are forever grateful for his effort and commitment in resolving our mom's case" as per First Coast news.