Deputies Trying to Heat Up Cold Case Investigation

The two people involved in the death of a 23-year-old Clearwater man 14 years ago remain on the loose, and that’s something Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies would like to see remedied.

The crime in question occurred on Feb. 26, 2001, outside an apartment at 5401 Colfax St. in Clearwater. The incident unfolded as Marco Waters, 23, was sitting outside his sister’s home around 9:55 p.m. Pinellas deputies say Marco and his girlfriend noticed two men walk back and forth in front of the home a few times. While Marco’s girlfriend went inside, he remained outdoors.

That’s when deputies say the men robbed Marco at gunpoint, taking his wallet and a large amount of money.

“Waters yelled out to them and one of the suspects turned around and shot him,” an email from the agency to media stated. Marco died a short time later at Largo Medical Center.

Fast forward 14 years and the men responsible, described as only being males in their early 20s, remain unidentified.

Hoping to close the books on the case, the sheriff’s office, Waters’ family and the Springtime Club of Clearwater staged a press conference Friday, asking anyone with information in the case to come forward.

“We are confident that someone out there has information that would help solve this crime,” said Sheriff Gualtieri. “We are hopeful that this campaign conducted in partnership with the Springtime Club, will prompt the community to begin a dialogue and to come forward with any information they may have, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and help us bring closure to the Waters’ children and other family members.”

A candlelight vigil in Waters’ honor is planned for Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Highpoint Family Center, 5812 150th Ave. N. in Clearwater. The Springtime Club is playing host to the event.

Anyone with information in the cold case is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1 800-873-TIPS.

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