SWFL Crime Stoppers looking for leads in 1979 Arcadia murder

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is still searching for a suspect in the killing of a store manager almost 42 years ago.

On Nov. 6, 1979, at around 2 a.m., 25-year-old Adele Marie Easterly, of Arcadia, was found shot to death at The Farm Store located on US-17 in Punta Gorda. She was an assistant manager at the store.

A deputy investigating a suspicious vehicle found Easterly’s body inside the store. She had been shot twice with a shotgun and her killer escaped with around $7.34 from the store.

Detectives with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office believe that the now-elderly male suspect in Easterly’s murder left Florida and has been residing in Kentucky or Tennessee for many years. They also believe he has intimate knowledge of law enforcement practices who has tailored his criminal activities to avoid being caught, and that he has openly shared his involvement in the murder with others, including during threatening arguments and domestic violence against women.

If you have information that can help solve this case, call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477. All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000. Tips may also be made online or by submitting a tip on the P3 Tips mobile app.

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