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.
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/south-41095-walton-county.html
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Replies
124
beats on hood
Is that why there were so many sheriff vehicles east of Cassine Gardens this evening?
SWGBAuthor
Yep, apparently one of the suspects is a 2010 local grad.
Beach Fanatic
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.
Beach Fanatic
They updated the article but still not really any details.
Edited
SWGBAuthor
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.
Beach Comber
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
Beach Fanatic
Very scary! Any updates?
Beach Comber
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.
Beach Fanatic
Latest news story: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/south-41095-walton-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.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Skunky
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
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
Edited
Beach Fanatic
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.
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.
SWGBAuthor
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.
Beach Fanatic
Heartbreaking and tragic. I hope her family knows that the locals would do anything possible to help them get through this.
Beach Fanatic
Thank god that piece of crap is off the streets... 
Beach Lover
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?)
Beach Lover
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.
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.
Edited
Beach Lover
Was any new info released at the press conference?
Beach Comber
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/south-41095-walton-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.
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.
Beach Lover
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!
The fact that the newspaper has links in the article to the killer's Facebook and MySpace pages is appalling!
Beach Fanatic
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.......
Local Media
Local Media
A different format of the same video just released by the WCSO.
[video=vimeo;25260093]http://vimeo.com/25260093[/video]
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DeFuniak-Herald-Beach-Breeze/276530294617
[video=vimeo;25260093]http://vimeo.com/25260093[/video]
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DeFuniak-Herald-Beach-Breeze/276530294617
Beach Fanatic
Very very tragic. My heart goes out to Courtney's family and friends.
Beach Fanatic
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.
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