Florida cold case suspect allegedly confesses to 1987 murder and reveals secret crime-scene details

A Florida man charged in the 1987 killing of a 20-year-old mother allegedly confessed after contacting authorities himself and investigators say he described details of the crime scene that had never been publicly released.

Gary Edward Glowacz, 70, is charged with second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery in the death of Melissa Ellison, who was found dead inside her Jacksonville home on Dec.

28, 1987, according to court records obtained by Fox News Digital.

Ellison was found lying on her bed after her roommates first discovered her 13-month-old child crying on a couch in the living room, according to Glowacz’s arrest report.

Investigators said Ellison had suffered blunt-force trauma to the head and neck.

Blood was found on the sheets, her head had been positioned below a pillow, and a nightgown had been pulled over her waistline, according to the arrest report.

Detectives also found soot or ash on the bed that they said was consistent with a wooden log having been used to strike her.

TIPSTER CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER POLICE SAY ANONYMOUS CALL HELPED SOLVE 30-YEAR DISAPPEARANCE The case remained unsolved for decades.

On July 8, 2026, Glowacz called authorities in Clay County and said he wanted to "set things straight" about Ellison’s death, according to the arrest report.

Police said he told a deputy that he had committed a burglary at the home and had struck Ellison with a log.

KILLER ADMITS TO DECADES-OLD COLD CASE SLAYING AFTER INVESTIGATORS LEAN ON NEW FORENSIC EVIDENCE: OFFICIALS During a subsequent interview with Jacksonville cold case detectives, Glowacz allegedly said he had been using narcotics at the time and entered the residence looking for money or property he could sell.

Glowacz told detectives he found Ellison and her baby in a bedroom, left the room, picked up a wooden log inside the residence and returned, according to the report.

He allegedly said he struck Ellison once in the head, then carried the child into the living room and placed the baby on a couch.

Police said Glowacz then returned to the bedroom to look for money.