A Florida man has been arrested in the 1987 killing of 20-year-old mother Melissa Ellison after allegedly contacting authorities and describing details from the crime scene. Gary Edward Glowacz, 70, faces charges of second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery. Investigators say his account matched evidence documented nearly four decades ago, including information they say had not been publicly disclosed.
Ellison was found dead inside her Jacksonville home on Dec. 28, 1987, after roommates discovered her 13-month-old child crying in the living room. The case remained unsolved until Glowacz contacted authorities in July 2026.
| 1) | The 1987 Jacksonville killing |
| 2) | A voluntary contact with authorities |
| 3) | Details investigators say matched the scene |
| 4) | The suspect’s alleged connection to the area |
| 5) | Charges in a decades-old case |
The 1987 Jacksonville killing
Ellison was found lying on her bed at her Jacksonville residence on Dec. 28, 1987. According to the arrest report, she had suffered blunt-force injuries to her head and neck. Investigators documented blood on the sheets, her head positioned below a pillow and her nightgown pulled above her waistline.
Detectives also reported finding soot or ash on the bed that they considered consistent with the use of a wooden log. The discovery of Ellison’s body followed the roommates’ efforts to locate her after hearing her infant crying in the living room. No arrest was made for decades.
A voluntary contact with authorities
On July 8, 2026, Glowacz called authorities in Clay County and said he wanted to “set things straight,” according to the arrest report. Police say he told a deputy that he had committed a burglary at Ellison’s home and struck her with a log.
“Set things straight.”
During a later interview with Jacksonville cold case detectives, Glowacz allegedly said he had been using narcotics at the time and entered the home looking for money or property that could be sold. Police arrested him after the interview.
Details investigators say matched the scene
Investigators say Glowacz described finding Ellison and her baby in a bedroom before leaving to retrieve a wooden log from inside the residence. He allegedly told detectives he struck Ellison once in the head, carried the child to the living room and placed the baby on a couch.
Police say he then returned to the bedroom to search for money. According to the report, he described pulling Ellison’s body by the legs and lifting part of the mattress while looking underneath it. Detectives said the account matched evidence recorded at the scene, including the home’s layout and the location of the log. They also said those details had not been released publicly and were not included in an article Glowacz said he had read.
The suspect’s alleged connection to the area
Law enforcement databases cited in the arrest report indicate that Glowacz lived about half a mile from the crime scene in 1987. Investigators also said he had been arrested in an unrelated burglary in the area on the same day Ellison was found dead.
Glowacz allegedly told detectives he saw an article about the cold case in March 2026, when he realized Ellison had died. He reportedly delayed contacting authorities until after the holiday season because he wanted to spend time with his family. These statements form part of the investigators’ account and will be subject to court proceedings.
Charges in a decades-old case
Glowacz was formally charged with second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery. The charging document alleges that he killed Ellison by striking her while committing the offense and that he entered or remained in her dwelling while armed with a dangerous weapon.
The charges are allegations, and Glowacz is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court. A public defender representing him was contacted for comment, according to the available case information.
| 1 | Melissa Ellison was found dead in her Jacksonville home on Dec. 28, 1987. |
| 2 | Gary Edward Glowacz contacted authorities on July 8, 2026. |
| 3 | Investigators say his alleged account included details not previously made public. |
| 4 | He faces second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery charges. |
Summary
The arrest represents a major development in a Jacksonville homicide that had remained unresolved since 1987. Investigators say Glowacz’s voluntary contact, alleged confession and knowledge of undisclosed scene details provided the basis for the charges. The case will now move through the judicial process, where prosecutors must prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the case?
Melissa Ellison, 20, was found dead inside her Jacksonville, Florida, home on Dec. 28, 1987.
What did investigators say the suspect disclosed?
Police say Gary Edward Glowacz described entering the home, striking Ellison with a wooden log, placing her child on a couch and searching beneath the mattress. Investigators said some details had not been publicly released.
What charges does Glowacz face?
He faces second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery. The accusations have not been proven in court.