Ohio death row inmate may be linked to multiple SWFL cold case homicides

Cold case investigators are taking a closer look at the life of Roland Davis, Sr., who is currently on death row for the murder of an Ohio woman — he’s also the man accused of killing Sharon Gill in Charlotte County.

Krista Gill will always remember the name Roland Davis. He’s the man accused of taking her mom away from her when she was just 18 years old. Case detectives made the connection back in November 2020 after 30 years of no one held responsible.

“I think the biggest feeling for me that I dealt with, I was just happy to know that he was already behind bars, and he wasn’t able to hurt or do this to another family,” Krista said.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Cold Case Detective Kurt Mehl spoke with SWFL Crime Stoppers Trish Routte about Roland Thomas Davis Sr., 68, and his ties to Fort Myers, and they’re urging anyone with information to come forward.

MORE: Ohio death row inmate linked to 30-year-old cold case in Charlotte County

CCSO is looking into any connections Davis may have to unsolved homicides or missing women from the 1980s and 90s. They say he used to hang out at the now-closed Mayfair Lounge in North Fort Myers and has a history of violence.

“Because Mr. Davis has been involved in at least two homicides and an attempted homicide of a prostitute in Columbus, Ohio, he is on our radar for unsolved cases of missing women and murdered women, murdered females,” CCSO Det. Kurt Mehl said.

One of those unsolved cases is Christine Flahive, who went missing back in 1995 in Charlotte County.

Detectives are also looking to see if Davis is linked to a woman’s remains they found in Punta Gorda in 1980 and other cases in Lee County.

“I just think to myself there is a really good chance that he could be a part of other cases that they are looking into,” Krista said. “When you have three horrible crimes that he has committed, nothing surprises me anymore.”

Krista Gill hopes the families involved with cold cases Davis could be linked to get answers soon.

“My heart goes out to them, and I just pray for strength for them because it is very difficult,” Krista said. “But to know that the case has been solved and that he can no longer hurt anybody, that does bring comfort.”

If you have any information on Davis’ relationships in our community during that time frame, call us at 1-800-780-TIPS or reach out to us online at southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or on the P3Tips mobile app. You can also contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office at 941-639-0013.