Florida Cold Case Finds Closure With Identity of 1985 Missing Woman

Human remains found in a Florida canal have been identified as those of Rose Marie Gayhart, a woman who vanished in 1985 at age 23. The remains surfaced in May 2024, discovered by kayakers in a canal located in northeastern Cape Coral, confirmed the Cape Coral Police Department.

It was in May this year that investigators, including Cape Coral’s violent crimes unit, confirmed the identity with the help of DNA samples from her family. The process involved collaboration with a local medical examiner’s office and New York’s sheriff’s office, where Gayhart was originally from.

The case, classified as a homicide, shows no signs of waning interest from law enforcement. “This identification brings long-awaited answers, it also strengthens our resolve,” stated Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore. He reaffirmed the ongoing nature of such investigations, even decades down the line. Police are keen on tracing every lead and have urged the public to share any information that could aid in resolving the case.

Gayhart’s disappearance left her family searching for answers since 1985. Her parents, who were from Danville, New York, reported her missing. At the time, she was residing and working around Cape Coral and North Fort Myers. CBS affiliate WINK highlighted her last known location as Big Howie’s Hot Dogs, a Cape Coral restaurant where she was employed. She shared a trailer park home in North Fort Myers with her boyfriend and his mother.

Laurie Travis, Gayhart’s sister, dedicated years to understanding her sister’s disappearance. “It doesn’t get better, we just get through it,” Travis reflected in a past interview with WINK. Recalled was Gayhart’s happiness and her invitation to Travis to visit Florida weeks before her disappearance. Travis suspected foul play, citing neighbors’ discussions of frequent disturbances in the trailer park neighborhood. The case continues to develop as new information comes to light.