Florida sheriff's office solves two Kissimmee cold cases, arrests suspect in 2022 shooting
Osceola County's Cold Case Program, formed in 2024, has closed two cases and is reviewing others from a backlog of unsolved killings.
Two Kissimmee-area murders have been solved by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, marking the first closures for the county's Cold Case Program, which was formed in 2024 to address long-stalled investigations. Officials said the two cases—one dating to 2007 and the other to 2022—showcase a renewed, methodical approach that blends file reviews, new forensics and targeted witness outreach to generate fresh leads.
In the first case, 17-year-old De’Andre Nathaniel Wellnitz was killed in a stabbing during a house party on June 24, 2007. The investigation stalled within months, but in October 2024 investigators identified a person of interest and located him in Orlando earlier this year. The person of interest said he attended the party and was involved in a fight; he claimed he grabbed a nearby kitchen knife and waved it to deter others from striking him, and investigators ultimately determined the act was self-defense and declined to file charges.
The second case involves Jommil Baez-Quinones, who was shot multiple times near Indian Point Circle on Feb. 23, 2022. After months of leads, the case went cold, then was reopened in October 2024 as investigators reviewed old records and pursued new tips. Luis Eluvar Gonzalez, 23, was identified as a suspect with help from U.S. Marshals and was arrested. He faces first-degree manslaughter with a weapon and first-degree robbery with a firearm.
Authorities said the Cold Case Program was formed in 2024 to tackle Osceola County's 32 remaining unsolved cases. The program has now solved two cases, with the remainder under review. The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kelly McDonald, Wellnitz's mother, told FOX 35 she appreciated the empathy shown by investigators and the straightforward handling of the details. "What it has done for me has given me closure… I'm able to stop playing the story that I've played for 18 years over and over again in my head. I'm able to see something different. I'm able to have peace now," she said.
Officials stressed that the work is ongoing and that additional cases are being revisited with new techniques and resources. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office continues to emphasize that cold-case reviews are a persistent, long-term effort, not a single milestone.