A 73-year-old Florida man has been arrested in connection with the brutal 1999 murder of his longtime girlfriend, Sherry Holtz, after advancements in DNA testing provided new evidence in the cold case.
On December 4, 1999, a pedestrian discovered Holtz’s body in a wooded area behind an AAMCO transmission shop in Sanford. The individual immediately notified AAMCO staff, who then contacted the police. Officers arrived at the scene to find Holtz, 50, on a concrete slab with her throat cut and her clothing in disarray. Investigators also noted signs of blunt force trauma, strangulation, and sexual battery, leading them to classify Holtz’s death as a “brutal homicide,” according to Sanford Police Public Information Officer Bianca Gillet.
At the time of the initial investigation, police recovered a blood-stained knife and performed a sexual assault kit. The DNA samples from the weapon and kit were submitted for testing in 2000. However, the blood sample was too small, and investigators were unable to identify any suspects.
Holtz lived with her longtime boyfriend, Gary Durrance, and three other roommates. Interviews revealed that Holtz was last seen on the evening of December 3, 1999, the night before her body was discovered. Roommates reported that Holtz and Durrance had an argument the previous day, resulting in Durrance allegedly kicking her out of their shared residence. When questioned about his whereabouts on the night of Holtz’s murder, Durrance’s statements contained significant gaps, raising suspicions among investigators.
Despite the initial investigation hitting a dead end, authorities revisited the case in May 2023, resubmitting evidence for modern DNA testing. In June 2023, the results identified Durrance as the primary suspect, while ruling out two other individuals of interest.
The case against Durrance was further strengthened by records of previous police visits to the couple’s home for domestic violence calls, indicating a history of tumultuous and violent behavior. This background, combined with the new DNA evidence, provided sufficient grounds for an arrest.
On July 18, 2023, Durrance was arrested in Volusia County with the assistance of local deputies. He is currently being held in the Seminole County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder without bond.
This arrest brings a measure of closure to a case that has haunted the Sanford community for nearly 25 years. The advancements in DNA technology played a crucial role in identifying the suspect, highlighting the importance of revisiting cold cases as forensic science evolves.
The Sanford Police Department’s persistent efforts and the recent breakthroughs in DNA testing underscore the critical role that technology plays in solving long-standing criminal cases. With Durrance now facing charges, there is hope that justice will finally be served for Sherry Holtz and her loved ones.