It was out of character for 25-year-old Joe Harrell not to come home and not call any of his family members if his plans changed. However, on January 21, 2006, Harrell never showed up at home, throwing the family into a conundrum after the victim’s boss also called to find out his whereabouts the next day.
At the same time, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) had responded to the driveway of a home on Silver Street in the Springfield neighborhood of Jacksonville, where they found Harrell’s body, according to Project: Cold Case. An autopsy later showed the victim had died of blunt force trauma and several gunshot wounds.
Despite several leads and tips from the neighborhood, authorities were unable to identify a suspect. In addition, Harrell’s family had tried seeking information from the public by putting up flyers and billboard signs in the neighborhood close to the crime scene. As a result, the case went cold.
Harrell’s sister, Michelle Harrell, who is now a detective with the JSO’s crime scene unit, is resolved to solve her brother’s murder and provide closure for the family.
“I was very close with my brother and my other siblings as well. We’re a close-knit family. He made my childhood exciting and fun, I want his case solved. It’s something that he deserves. My family and I want to continue to advocate for him and get the word out and let those that were involved or even know anything about it that we’re still here,” said Michelle Harrell, reported News4Jax.
If anyone has information that could help solve this cold case, contact JSO at (904) 630-0500. To remain anonymous and possibly still be eligible for a cash reward, call First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).
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