Volusia County Sheriff's Office cold-case squad takes fresh look at old DeBary murder

IMAGE COURTESY VOLUSIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Do you have any clues? — The cold-case squad of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office wants any information that may help them solve the James Aslinger homicide. His is one of 39 cold-case homicides the squad is investigating.

It's one of 39 cases to be featured in the search for new information

By Pat Andrews
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Feb 15, 2013 - 10:54:12am

Investigators at the Volusia County Sheriff's Office are taking fresh looks at 39 cold-case homicides in hope of finally solving the mysteries with modern technologies.

They're hoping the Internet, and fresh public attention, will help.

Perhaps memories will be jogged, or people who hesitated to come forward in the past will now, helping the squad solve what the Sheriff's Office called "among the most haunting of cases for law enforcement."

Every one of these cases is potentially solvable, said Sgt. Pat Thoman, head of the Major Case Unit.

In 2012, the Sheriff's Office Major Case Unit established a cold case squad dedicated to unearthing new leads in homicide cases that had grown cold, but were not forgotten.

The Sheriff's Office will feature a new cold-case each week on its Facebook page and on its website.

First up is the DeBary case of James Aslinger, who was found dead May 27, 1974, in a home on Benson Junction Road, not far from his residence. Trauma to Aslinger's body indicated he met a violent death.

Aslinger died about a week shy of his 31st birthday.

"The identity of his killer has never been determined, and the trail of clues has long gone cold for Volusia County Sheriff's investigators," Sheriff's Office spokesman Gary Davidson said.

The Sheriff's Office has used various new tools to look at old cases, including DNA testing, which could potentially link killers to their victims.

Investigators also hope exposing these cases through social media can help.

The oldest case, a double murder, dates back to 1957, making 39 the total number of victims in 38 cases.

Of the victims, 24 are men and 15 are women. The identities of seven victims are unknown. The youngest victim was only 2 years old.

“Often, public exposure is our biggest ally in solving crime,” said Sgt. Thoman. “I’ve got to believe that someone out there is going to see one of these cases and have that 'aha moment' and pick up the phone. Each and every one of these cases is one phone call away from being solved.”

Other West Volusians whose unsolved homicides will be featured include:

• Tymon Ross, who was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in his home Dec. 8, 2009.

• Anne Parianos, found dead as the result of violent trauma in her DeLand home Oct. 21, 2005.

• Kristin Dunn, whose body was found on the side of South Sparkman Avenue in Orange City Sept. 19, 2004.

• Eric Walker, whose body was discovered inside a vehicle in the 2100 block of Enterprise-Osteen Road March 11, 2004.

• Terrell Barkley, whose body was found inside his car along South Adelle Avenue near DeLand Nov. 8, 2002.

• Laralee Spear, whose body was found off Deerfoot Road in DeLand after she failed to return home from DeLand High School April 25, 1994.

Anyone with information about Aslinger's death or any of the other cold cases should call Investigator Chuck Lee at 386-254-1535.

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS. Callers may be eligible for rewards of up to $1,000.

— Pat@beacononlinenews.com

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