Murder in Seagrove

[SWGB]

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/sou...on-county.html

Walton County sheriff’s deputies were investigating a murder late Thursday in connection to a teenage girl who was reported missing earlier that afternoon, according to the Sheriff’s Office and Walton County Fire Rescue. A 15-year-old girl was reported missing about 4 p.m. Thursday from a condominium on County Road 30A in Seagrove Beach, according to 911 dispatch records. She was last seen about three hours earlier with a 21-year-old man who was a friend of her brother, according to dispatch records.
The murder investigation was under way near Cypress Grove Lane near Seaside, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mike Morrison.
Deputies were interviewing “persons of interest” Thursday night, Morrison said.
“We will continue to conduct a thorough and methodical criminal investigation to determine what happened and how,” he said.
No additional details were available at 9 p.m.

[Beach Runner]

Is that why there were so many sheriff vehicles east of Cassine Gardens this evening?

[SWGB]

Yep, apparently one of the suspects is a 2010 local grad.

[dunelover]

Anyone have more info? I read in the comments of the article that a minor was missing from a resort in Seagrove and the suspect is now in custody...Is this correct and can anyone provide any more details.

[jodiFL]

They updated the article but still not really any details.

[SWGB]

From what I understand this is local on local violence. Also I'm not sure where the transient comment comes from, I've been listening to the scanner for quite some time and never heard that.

[JChan]

They have a suspect in custody not sure if he has been charge or not. He is a local to the area lives around the area the minor's body was found, what I have heard the minor was not a local

[Zebraspots]

Very scary! Any updates?

[btanner]

From what I understand the minor was not a local. Knew this family when I was a kid. They were on vaction in Seagrove. Creeps me out a little, we are coming down on Saturday.

[SGB]

Latest news story: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/sou...on-county.html

SEAGROVE BEACH — An arrest has been made in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old Georgia resident who was vacationing in Seagrove Beach in Walton County.
Steven Anthony Cozzie, 21, of Santa Rosa Beach, was charged with an open count of murder. He was booked at 10:06 a.m., Friday.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the girl’s disappearance about 4 p.m. Thursday after her mother called to say she had not returned from a walk with an acquaintance she had met during the vacation, a Sheriff’s Office news release said.
The girl had been missing for approximately three hours when the Sheriff’s Office was contacted, the release said.
The teen's body was found in a wooded area near Cypress Grove Lane, according to the Sheriff’s Office and other sources.
Deputies “obtained a description of the juvenile’s acquaintance” Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mike Morrison said in the release. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed the “acquaintance” she was last seen with was 21, but did not say whether Cozzie was the acquaintance.
The Sheriff's Office reported Thursday night it was interviewing "persons of interest."
Sheriff Mike Adkinson said after Cozzie was taken into custody the pace of the Sheriff’s Office investigation had been slowed to a pace that would allow a deliberate, careful collection of evidence.
“I’m confident we’re going to see this through to a successful conclusion,” Adkinson said.
The victim and her family were staying at 1 SeaGrove Place condominiums on County Road 30A in Seagrove Beach, sources said. Another family staying at the condominium said the murder "has really shaken us up."
"It makes you want to watch your kids a little closer. I don't think my 15-year-old grandaughter will be going out alone any time soon," said Jorene Goris.
Goris's daughter, Julie Armstrong, said "when you're 15 you should be able to do things on your own, but she (her daughter) is definitely not going anywhere by herself. You never know."
“The Sheriff’s Office will host a press conference today at 3 p.m. to discuss the facts of the case and to mitigate misinformation released to the public from sources outside the Sheriff’s Office,” Morrison said in the news release. “No media interviews will be granted prior to the press conference.”
Cozzie has a Facebook page on which he states he attended South Walton High School and lives in Santa Rosa Beach. He labels himself single and interested in women.

[graytonbeachguy]

Mug shot of Steven Cozzie.

http://jailpublic.co.walton.fl.us/reportviewer.aspx

[30A Skunkape]

Smiling in his mug shot. What a douche.



http://waltoncountymugshots.com/

For Immediate Release
June 16, 2011

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is presently conducting a homicide investigation near Cypress Grove Lane in Seagrove, Fla.

A missing person was reported to the WCSO earlier today. The case has evolved into a homicide investigation. The WCSO is in the process of interviewing persons of interest and area residents who may have information regarding this case.

Further information will be released as it becomes available during the course of this active and ongoing criminal investigation.

For Further Information Contact:
Mike Morrison
Public Information Officer
Walton County Sheriff’s Office
(850) 892-8186 (main)
(850) 401-4612 (cell)
2011-031-Homicide June 16 2011 Press Release

[graytonbeachguy]

Someone posted this as a comment to NWFDN article:

Update:
The family was staying at BeachCrest Condos on 30-A the girls brother was befriended by (possibly recently laid off) employee of the beach chair and umbrella company that services that complex, the perp asked the girl to go for a walk on the beach when she failed to return a search was conducted for the girl, the perp was spotted and questioned by the sheriff's dept. and then at a later time once her body was discovered the search began for the perp, he is a local but living as homeless at the time his family had recently rejected him because of his odd behavior. She was brutally raped and strangled. How sad for the family of this precious little girl.

[SWGB]

Someone posted this as a comment to NWFDN article:

Update:
The family was staying at BeachCrest Condos on 30-A the girls brother was befriended by (possibly recently laid off) employee of the beach chair and umbrella company that services that complex, the perp asked the girl to go for a walk on the beach when she failed to return a search was conducted for the girl, the perp was spotted and questioned by the sheriff's dept. and then at a later time once her body was discovered the search began for the perp, he is a local but living as homeless at the time his family had recently rejected him because of his odd behavior. She was brutally raped and strangled. How sad for the family of this precious little girl.

Talk about wrong gossip. The press release from WCSO says One Seagrove place.

[Groovegirls]

Heartbreaking and tragic. I hope her family knows that the locals would do anything possible to help them get through this.

[Douglas the Intrepid]

Thank god that piece of crap is off the streets...

[MonicaQA]

This is so horrible!!! Makes you just want to hold your kids close! I cannot believe this guy is smiling in his mug shot!!! Does anyone know if he was "off" mentally? (I mean, you have to be to murder someone, but has he always been "off" in his behavior?)

[WaltonIsOne]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and to the soul of the young woman.

Many years ago my daughter was abducted in a Stadium in Atlanta and attacked. God willing, she made it through it alive. Trust me, this was devastating enough for any parent see to happen to their child.

I could not even imagine what it must be like for the parents of the young woman.

IMO, these sort of situations illustrate why all young women should be "well trained" in self defense. And I mean very well trained.

At the least, such training can make a young women more aware and vigilant, no matter where they are.

And in the worst case scenario they can defend themselves to the point where their attacker will never attempt to attack another woman again.

No matter where one is, there is always a risk of being attached and/or violated. Especially in places where one would least expect it (like in SeaGrove).

I personally wish there was something that could be done to alleviate the amount of grief that the family is suffering.

[BeachArkie]

Was any new info released at the press conference?

[Bell V.]

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles...on-county.html

The Walton County Sheriff's Office has identified the 15-year-old girl who was killed yesterday in Seagrove Beach as Courtney Wilkes.

She was from Lyons, Ga. and was staying at Beachcrest Condominium complex on County Road 30A with her family.

"We have the person we believe is responsible for this crime," said Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson during a 3 p.m. press conference. "The threat to the community has been removed."

He described the slaying of Wilkes as an "extremely violent encounter."

Adkinson said when Steven Anthony Cozzie, 21, of Santa Rosa Beach, was arrested and charged with an open count of murder he showed no remorse.

"This is nothing more than pure evil," Adkinson said.



Check back soon for more updates.

...My heart goes out to this family. What a tragedy.

[BeachArkie]

I was hearing another guy was involved. Their earlier article seemed to say that too.

The fact that the newspaper has links in the article to the killer's Facebook and MySpace pages is appalling!

[luvthebeach]

I just so hate to hear of the beautiful serenity, peacefulness and security of SoWal being compromised by such a brutal act. I was at Cassine Gardens just last week and enjoyed a wonderful week there...perfect weather, paradise as always. I did learn that the police had been contacted by owners because of signs that someone was sleeping in the wooded area behind the pool. I now hear that it's possible that may have been the guy who murdered the young woman. I hope that's not so.......

[DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze]

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/re...1AYtWTJq2ZNHGA






www.facebook.com/pages/DeFuniak-Herald-Beach-Breeze/276530294617

[DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze]

A different format of the same video just released by the WCSO.



http://www.facebook.com/pages/DeFuni...e/276530294617

[Gidget]

Very very tragic. My heart goes out to Courtney's family and friends.

[BeachbumAggie]

This is a horrific tragedy and my heart goes out to this young woman's family; we will be arriving for a week's stay in Cassine Gardens tomorrow and have stayed there a few other times in the last few years. We actually have met Theresa a couple of times and she's always been very nice to us; I saw where some were questioning why she didn't call the police about a homeless person being in the pool area rather than just kicking them out. I have to say that I would have done the same thing and if I saw them back, then I'd probably call the police. Again, this is a horrible tragedy.

[Minnie]

Very very sad.

TOOMBS CO., GA (WTOC) -
The memorial at Toombs County High school continues to
grow with messages remembering 15-year-old Courtney Wilkes.

Wilkes was murdered in Walton County, Fla., near Panama
City, Fla., where her family was vacationing.

"Courtney was one of those people you could tell
anything to and she would never go back and tell anyone else. She was pure and
just an angel," friend and soccer teammate Madison Lynn said.

Wilkes was a star soccer player on the school team and
also at the top of her class.

"This past year we became really good friends. I
trusted her. She was sweet and didn't deserve this," classmate Cody Down
said.

The Walton County Sheriff says Wilkes' mother reported
her missing at 4 p.m. Thursday.

She was last seen going for a walk with 21-year-old
Steven Cozzie, a resident of the area near Seagrove Beacn.

By 5:30 p.m., the sheriff says her body was found.

And by 6 p.m., deputies arrested Cozzie for the
murder.

The sheriff says Cozzie is showing no remorse and he is
seen smiling in his mugshot.

Officials say he violently killed the 15-year-old
within just 500 yards of where she and her family were staying.

He was denied bond.

Copyright 2011 WTOC. All rights reserved.

video
http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=14932911

[kathydwells]

Tragic. Just so sad.

[futurebeachbum]

I can't even begin to imagine how devastating this has to be for the young girl's family (or even the suspect's family.) So many lives destroyed and so much pain. I hope they are able to get through this tragedy and build some kind of a decent life again. I harbor an entirely different (and much darker) set of hopes for the future of the suspect if he is convicted.

[sunspotbaby]

I have to say I was heartbroken to read this yesterday. At that point, the suspect hadn't been named and the only information was that he was a 21 yo white male. My son is 21. I wasn't concerned that it was him by any stretch of the imagination but i knew it was probably someone he knew and it spooked the hell out of me. Could it be a friend? a coworker? what kind of monster did this? Is my son friends with him? I had lots of questions. My girls and I just went to PC on Monday to see my 13 yo niece who was vacationing with a friend. We spent all day around the pool and she had her eye on a cute boy there. I thought it was fun and recalled memories of my sister (her mother) and I in our teens on vacation in Daytona. We always met boys, some local...some tourists. It just all seems so innocent and fun and we made lots of friends. I've cried for this girl that took a walk with a boy and now she's gone. I'm worried more than ever about my young nieces who are going to Daytona in a couple of weeks. I know they'll meet people, probably meet lots of boys...but i'm scared for their safety. The young man who did this....how must his mother feel? When i finally talked to my own son yesterday and told him who it was, he did know him but was not friends with him. A sigh of relief...that it wasn't someone with whom he associated. My prayers go out to both families. Such a sad sad few days here.

[kurt]

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/S...124111544.html

The murder of 15-year old Courtney Wilkes has generated a lot of attention all over the southeast, for several reasons. First, because of the brutal nature of the crime, and second, because the upscale 30A tourist area has rarely had any murders. The murder has shaken this normally quiet resort area.


Residents and tourists, staying near the BeachCrest condominiums where 15-year old Courtney Wilkes was vacationing with her family, were shocked by the news of her murder on Thursday.




"I mean it's just that kind of place, nothing happens here, until last night" says Seagrove resident Rusty Wharton.


In the quaint Seagrove community, Wharton's backyard turned into a crime scene.
Sheriff's investigators found the teenager's body in a wooded area behind Wharton's house on Cypress Grove Lane.


Wharton asked an investigator what happened, to which he replied, " well, you really want to know?' and I said, 'no'. He said, 'Are you a Christian?' I said, 'yeah'. He said, 'it was that bad.'"
Investigators went door-to-door again Friday, showing pictures of Wilkes, and talking to anyone who may have information about the case.


One woman, who did not want to be identified, says she saw Wilkes and the suspect, 21-year old Steven Anthony Cozzie walking together just an hour before Wilkes' mother reported her missing.


"I had seen him walking on 30A, walking west towards Seaside and then about an hour after that I saw him walk past my front door with a girl in a bikini" says one woman who has requested to remain anonymous.
Learning, now, about Wilkes' fate has been disturbing for some.


"I wonder what I could have done if I had known. She was still alive when I saw them...I'm just so glad they caught him."


Thursday night, authorities said they were questioning 2-persons of interest. One was Cozzie, the other turned out to be Cozzie's friend, who investigators say is the one who cooperated with them.

[Happy Camper]

In Sheriff Atkinson's press conference, he says at 9:08, "he(Cozzie) still has Hell to look forward to". Well said Sheriff.

I will pray for this family that lost their daughter and sister.

[spartan1]

This is so horrible!!! Makes you just want to hold your kids close! I cannot believe this guy is smiling in his mug shot!!! Does anyone know if he was "off" mentally? (I mean, you have to be to murder someone, but has he always been "off" in his behavior?)

He definitely has had shocking behavior in the past that has left impressions on people. I rode the bus with him for a couple years. He would get into fights (and get suspended from the bus) practically every time he rode it.

The most shocking incident was when he was riding the bus one day and he flipped out at a 7th grade girl who was a student at Seaside riding home on the bus. He is a pretty big guy and he was physically shoving her and had to be physically removed off the bus to get him off of her.

He was definitely someone who would always try to be around younger kids (boys and girls). But it was always in kind of a creepy way.

[MonicaQA]

He definitely has had shocking behavior in the past that has left impressions on people. I rode the bus with him for a couple years. He would get into fights (and get suspended from the bus) practically every time he rode it.

The most shocking incident was when he was riding the bus one day and he flipped out at a 7th grade girl who was a student at Seaside riding home on the bus. He is a pretty big guy and he was physically shoving her and had to be physically removed off the bus to get him off of her.

He was definitely someone who would always try to be around younger kids (boys and girls). But it was always in kind of a creepy way.

Thank you for the information, I suspected there had to be some violent behavior prior to this. I wonder if the behavior he demonstrated at home (that caused his parents to kick him out) was bad enough that he should have been committed? I am not blaming the parents, just wondering; obviously nothing will bring Courtney back now. My heart goes out to both families. I will pray for strength & peace for the Wilkes family during this difficult & grievous time, and I will also pray for the Cozzie family. I am sure they are going through a horrific time as well. The whole situation is so very sad...

[BeachArkie]

Sounds like this is yet another tragedy that could have been avoided if anyone had picked up on one of the many signs and taken action.

That he had a well known history of violence, especially against young women, and nothing was done about it is horrible.

[Beach Angel]

Yes, but hindsight is 20-20. He can't be thrown in the slammer - or committed - when according to the law he hasn't (yet) done anything to warrant it. Like, in that Tom Cruise film "Minority Report". I don't think his family, or those who saw him camping out at Cassine, would ever have dreamed that this would happen. If they HAD called the police, except for the trespassing, what would they have said? That he was creepy, had fights on school buses, liked younger girls (ugh)? Unless and until he acts out on it, you can't really exact prior restraint. I guess you just have to hope that his first crime is not murder, but that it is big enough to lock him up for some time. I don't know - I just don't think it can be said that this could have ultimately been prevented with the laws we have in place.

[BeachArkie]

You don't need to arrest someone to get them help. Psychiatric care or other action taken after one of the incidents mentioned might have saved this girl's life.

Hindsight is 20/20, but a pair of $3 reading glasses from Wal-mart is sometimes all you need to have 20/20 vision in the present.

[scooterbug44]

This is every parent's worst nightmare realized, I can't even begin to imagine what her poor parents are going through.

Does Florida have the death penalty?

[30A Skunkape]

I was talking to some people over the weekend and predicted that this tragedy was big time bad news for our most well known 'homeless' person who resides under the Bramble walkover. I hope that he is not caught up in the backlash to 'fix things' that commonly occurs after these sorts of events. We need to remain calm and collected and remember that this was probably a failure of many difficult to correct factors, and 'fixing' a problem that had nothing to do with the murder will do nobody good (ie, running off the established homeless when they have done nothing wrong).

[beachmouse]

You don't need to arrest someone to get them help. Psychiatric care or other action taken after one of the incidents mentioned might have saved this girl's life.

Hindsight is 20/20, but a pair of $3 reading glasses from Wal-mart is sometimes all you need to have 20/20 vision in the present.

The flip side is how do we know someone hadn't tried to Baker Act him at some point? It takes a fair amount of mental dysfunction to get involuntarily committed down here, and for all we know someone had tried to get him in the system, but it didn't "take" for whatever reason.

[sunspotbaby]

Here is Courtney's obituary and arrangement notice for anyone who may want to attend.

http://www.ronaldvhall.com/obituarie...y.php?id=93769

[sunspotbaby]

This was posted on the wall of a friend who lives in the same area the Wilkes' are from. It would be nice for businesses to do this here too, i think.

Ann Owens Post - It is my dream for the Wilkes' to come through town on Wednesday as they send their daughter home, to see a town filled with signs and white bows. If you have a business with a sign please put something on it in Courtney's memory, and/or PLEASE put a white bow on your door. Would love to see them all up by tomorrow. PLEASE REPOST!!

[CampCreekLou]

Our prayers are with the Wilkes family.

[cp]

This is all unbelievable

[volvomom]

i am hoping this investigation is still going on. this guy seems like an easy one to "pin it on". it would seem like his fingerprints / dna would have been all over the victim. this area needs to be safe / we do not need a quick fix due to tourism and then it backfire.

[scooterbug44]

Don't worry, the investigation is still ongoing to collect additional evidence - and things like the autopsy report and DNA testing are part of that.

The Sheriff will not comment on certain things or release some information for legal reasons, but he has publicly said that they are not investigating anyone else for the crime.

[hippiechick]

Do you Really think this is being pinned on the man who showed his friend what he did to this child? Apparently you don't have much faith in our local Law Enforcement, I do. They acted quickly and correctly in this terrible tragedy. Shame on your for doubting their integrity!

[sunspotbaby]

I think the Sheriff used the word 'ample' when he referred to physical evidence at the scene.

[beach lover]

Referring to homeless man under Bramble walkover. He may be well known to us locals, but not to a tourist. This is not what they are expecting to see on their vacation. My daughter was here not long ago and went for her early morning beach walk, around 5:30am & saw him having a beer. She came back concerned. I ask her to describe him and said he was harmless.
But we have to remember a tourist is here to relax & unwind, not to figure the out the mind set of the homeless person. Do we want the tourist to take back these memories? Let this spread around where they live, not good for future visitors. Just my two cents.

[ronnadavis2]

I have been so depressed about this. Almost not able to function. My empathy for the parents is consuming me.
My husband and I got in a squabble tonight and then both broke down crying admitting it was a product of the pain we were feeling about this senseless murder and knowing how unbearable it must be for her parents and siblings. We send our love out to them!