VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) are requesting public assistance in solving the 30-year-old Laralee Spear cold case.
The FDLE has joined the investigation at the request of the VSO, working to review investigative and evidentiary leads in hopes of bringing Ms Spear’s killer to justice. VSO Sheriff Mike Chitwood recently announced an increased reward of $100,000 for information leading to an arrest.
“We want to let Laralee Spear know she is not forgotten. It is time to tell the truth and bring Laralee peace and closure for her family,” said Sheriff Chitwood.
“We believe someone out there knows something that could help in this investigation. So, we ask, if you know anything, please let us know. Everybody wants to see this case closed.”
FDLE Orlando Special Agent in Charge Felipe Williams emphasized the importance of the partnership with VSO.
“Partnering with VSO allows us to combine resources and expertise, giving us new perspectives and allows us to use modern investigative strategies. Our goal is to generate new leads and solve this case once and for all.”
Ms Spear, who was nearly 16 years old, was abducted and murdered on April 25, 1994, only a quarter mile from her home in DeLand. She was last seen getting off her school bus, and her body was found that same afternoon near a burned-down house on Deerfoot Road.
Detectives determined that Laralee was killed within minutes of getting off the school bus.
For more information about the case, visit FDLE’s Unsolved Cases in Florida website. Those with information are urged to contact the Volusia Sheriff’s Office major case unit at 386-254-1537 or email ColdCaseUnitTips@volusiasheriff.gov.
