12-15-2007, 02:55 AM
To change the negativity in our department a little, I would like to congratulate Officer Donna Velazquez in her incredible achievement in solving a 18 year old case.
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: On June 25, 1988, the victim David Jackson (the suspect’s ex-husband) was reported missing after leaving his apartment located at 11998 SW 12 Street Pembroke Pines. The victim told his roommate that he was leaving to purchase a pack of cigarettes; however the victim did not return home and was not seen again. At this time the Pembroke Pines Police Department launched an investigation into the disappearance. On September 22, 1988 the victims 1979 black Toyota was located in the long term parking lot of the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Investigators continued to vigorously pursue the investigation, however no new leads developed.
In June of 2003 this investigation was reassigned to the department’s newly created Missing Persons Unit and more specifically to Detective Donna Velazquez. Assisted by Detective Darryl Curtiss, the case was reinvestigated from the beginning. In June of 2004 Detective Velazquez located unidentified remains of a potential match with the victim. Through investigation and DNA comparisons the remains were positively identified as that of the victim. The investigation continued and new information began to develop.
In October 2004, the Detectives developed probable cause for the arrest of Michael Wolfe 10/27/1946, who was the husband of suspect Britton at the time of the Murder. Wolfe who resided in Ohio was arrested on a Murder warrant and extradited back to Broward County. On November 2, 2007 Wolfe was found guilty in Broward County of First Degree Murder and sentenced to life in prison.
On December 13, 2007, the suspect was indicted by the Broward County Grand Jury for Murder First Degree. Shortly thereafter Pembroke Pines Police Detectives arrested Britton at her residence without incident and she is currently being held in the Broward County Jail without bond.
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT: On June 25, 1988, the victim David Jackson (the suspect’s ex-husband) was reported missing after leaving his apartment located at 11998 SW 12 Street Pembroke Pines. The victim told his roommate that he was leaving to purchase a pack of cigarettes; however the victim did not return home and was not seen again. At this time the Pembroke Pines Police Department launched an investigation into the disappearance. On September 22, 1988 the victims 1979 black Toyota was located in the long term parking lot of the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Investigators continued to vigorously pursue the investigation, however no new leads developed.
In June of 2003 this investigation was reassigned to the department’s newly created Missing Persons Unit and more specifically to Detective Donna Velazquez. Assisted by Detective Darryl Curtiss, the case was reinvestigated from the beginning. In June of 2004 Detective Velazquez located unidentified remains of a potential match with the victim. Through investigation and DNA comparisons the remains were positively identified as that of the victim. The investigation continued and new information began to develop.
In October 2004, the Detectives developed probable cause for the arrest of Michael Wolfe 10/27/1946, who was the husband of suspect Britton at the time of the Murder. Wolfe who resided in Ohio was arrested on a Murder warrant and extradited back to Broward County. On November 2, 2007 Wolfe was found guilty in Broward County of First Degree Murder and sentenced to life in prison.
On December 13, 2007, the suspect was indicted by the Broward County Grand Jury for Murder First Degree. Shortly thereafter Pembroke Pines Police Detectives arrested Britton at her residence without incident and she is currently being held in the Broward County Jail without bond.