Florida cold case suspect allegedly confesses to 1987 murder and reveals secret crime-scene details

A Florida man charged in the 1987 killing of a 20-year-old mother allegedly confessed after contacting authorities himself and investigators say he described details of the crime scene that had never been publicly released.

Gary Edward Glowacz, 70, is charged with second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery in the death of Melissa Ellison, who was found dead inside her Jacksonville home on Dec. 28, 1987, according to court records obtained by Fox News Digital.

Ellison was found lying on her bed after her roommates first discovered her 13-month-old child crying on a couch in the living room, according to Glowacz’s arrest report.

Investigators said Ellison had suffered blunt-force trauma to the head and neck. Blood was found on the sheets, her head had been positioned below a pillow, and a nightgown had been pulled over her waistline, according to the arrest report. Detectives also found soot or ash on the bed that they said was consistent with a wooden log having been used to strike her.

Police also said law-enforcement databases showed Glowacz lived about half a mile from the crime scene in 1987 and had been arrested in connection with an unrelated burglary in the area on the same day Ellison was found dead.

Prosecutors later formally charged him with second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery.

The charging document alleges Glowacz killed Ellison by striking her while committing second-degree murder and entered or remained in her dwelling while armed with a dangerous weapon.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Glowacz’s public defender for comment.