Jacksonville, Florida authorities have solved a cold-case murder after finally tracking down “person of interest” Robert Richard Van Pelt, who had already died by suicide. The victim, 38-year-old Annie Mae Ernest, was found murdered in an open area in the 1100 block of Market Street on Sept. 9, 1985.
Initially, investigators had found a person of interest named “Robert Vance,” who was believed to be one of the last individuals to have communicated with Ernest before her murder. He had failed to show up for a polygraph examination and disappeared after his apartment was found abandoned. It was later discovered that “Robert Vance” was an alias for Van Pelt, but authorities were unable to locate him.
In 2008, cold case detectives reopened Ernest’s case and began searching for Van Pelt. Efforts to find him were futile, and the case remained in a Cold Case status.
In July 2023, one of Ernest’s relatives contacted cold case detectives seeking an update. Modern technology and databases were used to determine that Van Pelt had fled to Tampa, assuming a second alias, “John Leroy Harris,” following the murder of Ernest. Research revealed an incident report from the Tampa Police Department in 1988, indicating that Harris had been involved in the shooting of a female victim in their jurisdiction. The victim survived, but Harris committed suicide following the incident.
The sheriff’s office consulted with prosecutors and stated that if Van Pelt were alive today, he would be charged with the murder of Annie Mae Ernest. As such, in December 2023, the case was Exceptionally Cleared — Death of Offender.
Annie Mae Ernest’s murder case was finally solved after decades of mystery, bringing closure to her family and loved ones.