Ella Holland was found strangled and naked in an empty lot in 1998. More than 15 years later, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said they tracked down the man responsible.
Police charged Phillip Bennett, 55, with Holland’s murder after Holland’s sister asked for the cold case to be reopened in August of 2014.
New DNA detection technology along with a more detailed statement from a witnessed led police to charge Bennett.
Officers originally named Bennett as a suspect, along with several others, but Bennett denied being involved in her death and provided an alibi.
In 2005, police were able to link DNA found on Holland’s body to Bennett, who has been behind bars since 2008 on unrelated burglary charges.
JSO said Holland was 36 when she died near the 800 block of East Church Street. Holland and Bennett knew each other, but the details of their relationship are unclear.
DNA from other suspects were found on Holland’s body, which made the investigation more complicated.
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