safety
70-year-old tipster arrested hours after calling authorities about 1987 cold case murder
By Akim Powell at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 15, 2026
· 1 min read
(Gray News) - Nearly 40 years after a young mother was beaten to death in her home, authorities in Florida said a single phone call led to an arrest.On Dec. 28, 1987, at 4:40 a.m., police responded to a call reporting a dead person at a home. That is where they found 20-year-old Melisa Ellison ly...
Key takeaway Investigators said Wednesday they found a new lead when 70-year-old Gary Glowacz called the Clay County Sheriff’s Office dispatch and said he wanted to share information about Ellison’s death.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The arrest of a 70-year-old man in connection with a 1987 cold case murder in Florida may have implications for Atlanta 's own efforts to solve long-standing crimes. While the case in question did not occur in Atlanta, the fact that a single phone call from a tipster was able to crack the case nearly 40 years later suggests that similar leads could be lurking in the city's own unsolved murders. Atlanta residents who may have information about local cold cases should take note of this development and consider coming forward to share what they know. The Atlanta Police Department's own cold case unit may be able to learn from the tactics employed by Florida authorities in this case, and apply those lessons to their own investigations. As the city continues to grapple with violent crime, any potential breakthroughs in solving long-dormant cases could have a significant impact on public safety and community trust.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (Gray News) - Nearly 40 years after a young mother was beaten to death in her home, authorities in Florida said a single phone call led to an arrest.On Dec. 28, 1987, at 4:40 a.m., police responded to a call reporting a dead person at a home. That is where they found 20-year-old Melisa Ellison ly...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Akim Powell at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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