Florida Sheriff’s Office Solves Two Decades-Old Kissimmee Homicides, Bringing Closure and Charges
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — After years of uncertainty and unanswered questions, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has announced significant breakthroughs in two long-unsolved homicide cases that have haunted the Kissimmee community. The Cold Case Program successfully resolved a fatal stabbing from 2007 and a fatal shooting from 2022, offering closure for one grieving family and criminal charges in another.
The first case dates back to June 24, 2007, when 17-year-old De’Andre Nathaniel Wellnitz was fatally stabbed in the chest while attending a house party in Osceola County. The investigation quickly went cold, leaving the family in limbo for nearly two decades. In October 2024, however, detectives identified a person of interest and located him in Orlando earlier this year. During an interview, the individual confirmed he was at the party and became involved in a physical altercation. He explained that after being struck, he picked up a kitchen knife and waved it defensively to keep others away.
After thorough investigation, authorities concluded that the stabbing was an act of self-defense and declined to file charges. Kelly McDonald, Wellnitz’s mother, expressed gratitude for the empathy and transparency shown by investigators. “What it has done for me has given me closure,” McDonald said. “I’m able to stop playing the story that I’ve played for 18 years over and over again in my head. I’m able to see something different. I’m able to have peace now.” She hopes other families enduring similar pain find solace, even if the outcome is not what they initially expected.
The second case involved the shooting death of Jommil Baez-Quinones, who was shot multiple times near Indian Point Circle on February 23, 2022. Despite exhaustive efforts, the investigation stalled until it was reopened in October 2024. Authorities arrested Luis Eluvar Gonzalez, charging him with first-degree manslaughter with a weapon and first-degree robbery with a firearm in connection with Baez-Quinones’ death.
These developments underscore the persistent efforts of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Program, which applies modern investigative techniques to revisit unresolved crimes. Their work aligns with broader initiatives by law enforcement agencies nationwide to leverage advances in forensic science and community cooperation to solve cold cases.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office encourages families affected by unsolved crimes to remain hopeful, highlighting that even decades-old cases can be resolved. For more information on cold case investigations and victim support, the FBI’s cold case resources provide valuable insights. Additionally, the National Criminal Justice Reference Service offers extensive data on cold case methodologies and success stories.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has a dedicated Cold Case Program webpage detailing ongoing efforts and community outreach, accessible at osceolasheriff.org. This initiative exemplifies the commitment of local law enforcement to bring justice and peace to victims’ families, even after many years.
As these cases demonstrate, advances in investigative technology and renewed determination by authorities can unearth long-buried truths. The closure brought to the Wellnitz family and the charges filed in the Baez-Quinones case are poignant reminders that time does not always shield perpetrators from accountability.
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