Gary Durrance, long-time boyfriend of Sherry Holtz, was arrested for second-degree homicide after new DNA evidence linked him to her brutal 1999 murder in Sanford, Florida, officials announced last month.

The breakthrough came after the cold case was reopened in May 2023 with resubmitted DNA evidence from a knife found near Holtz's body. Advances in forensic technology confirmed the blood on the knife belonged to Holtz and the additional DNA matched Durrance. Holtz's family, who have awaited justice for over two decades, hope his arrest will finally bring them peace. Durrance is currently being held without bond, awaiting a court appearance on September 10.

Sherry Holtz was discovered dead on December 4, 1999, a day after she was last seen at Uncle Nick's Bar in Sanford, Florida. Her body showed disturbing signs of violence: her neck had been cut, and there were indications of blunt force trauma, strangulation, and sexual battery.

The area where her body was found, a wooded spot in Sanford, was unsettling. Holtz lay on a concrete slab, and nearby lay a lock blade knife stained with blood and containing other DNA samples. However, in 2000, the technology available was inadequate for effective DNA testing on the small samples recovered from the knife.

In a significant turn of events, the case was reopened in May 2023 when it became possible to resubmit the DNA evidence. Forensic advancements since the initial investigation now allowed scientists to analyze these previously unusable samples.

Last month, forensic tests confirmed that the blood on the knife belonged to Holtz. Additional DNA material on the knife was matched to Gary Durrance, Holtz's longtime boyfriend, leading to his arrest on charges of second-degree homicide.

The night of her death, witnesses last saw Holtz at Uncle Nick's Bar. There was notable tension between Holtz and Durrance, rooted in a domestic argument that had erupted on December 2, 1999. This argument ended with Durrance expelling Holtz from their shared home.

Durrance initially denied any involvement, claiming he was not with Holtz on the night of her death. However, gaps in his alibi raised suspicions. His roommates could not accurately account for his whereabouts during the critical hours when Holtz was killed.

New witness testimonies gathered during the reopened investigation cast further doubt on Durrance’s assertions. Some witnesses claimed that Durrance had mentioned seeing Holtz’s body even before it was officially discovered by the police.

The confirmation of his DNA on the knife was a pivotal moment, and following his arrest, Durrance admitted to his role in Holtz’s death. Official reports did not detail the nature or extent of his confession.

The breakthrough in this cold case has been a complex and emotionally charged journey for Holtz’s family. In official statements, they expressed hope that Durrance’s arrest might finally bring them some measure of peace after more than 20 years of waiting and anguish.

Holtz's body had been found by a person collecting cans in the wooded area, adding a grim layer to the discovery process. This discovery had haunted the local community and baffled investigators for years.

Durrance is currently held at the Seminole County Jail, also known as John E. Polk Correctional Facility. He awaits a court appearance scheduled for September 10, which many hope will bring further clarity and closure to this long-standing case.

Local officials and law enforcement have commented on the importance of advancements in forensic technology, which played a crucial role in solving this case. They acknowledged that without these advancements, bringing justice to Sherry Holtz might not have been possible.

The reopening of the case marks a significant moment in the field of criminal justice, illustrating the enduring importance of perseverance and technological progress in solving cold cases. It brings to the forefront the potential for unresolved cases nationwide to be revisited with new tools and methods.