New Witnesses Lead To Arrest In 1999 Cold-Case Murder: Sarasota Sheriff

SARASOTA, FL — After new witnesses came forward, an arrest was made in a Sarasota cold-case murder from 1999, authorities said.

Kevin Holloway, 55, was recently charged in connection with the murder of Esco Hunter, Jr., the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Detectives responded to a vehicle fire near the intersection of Myrtle Street and North Orange Avenue on Nov. 30, 1999.

The vehicle, hidden in a wooded area, was fully engulfed in flames, and later identified to belong to Hunter.

The following day, December 1, 1999, deputies responded to the area of Central Avenue and 43rd Street, less than one mile from the burned vehicle, where Hunter’s body was found.

The medical examiner’s office later determined the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds and ruled the manner of death a homicide, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies recently re‑examined witness statements, telephone records, and physical evidence, which ultimately led to the development of new and corroborating information.

New witnesses also came forward in the investigation, enabling detectives to establish probable cause identifying Holloway as the suspect, the sheriff’s office said.

Holloway was arrested Feb. 9 and charged with second-degree felony murder, arson and two counts of tampering with evidence.

He is being held at the Sarasota County Jail without bond.

Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is asked to contact the SCSO Criminal Investigations Section Cold Case Unit at coldcase@sarasotasheriff.org.

See Also:

• After Killing Ex-GF In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarasota Shooting Suspect Targeted Her Family
• Teacher Caused 5-Acre Brush Fire By Burning Debris In Backyard: Polk Sheriff
• Student Injured, 6 Arrested After Incident At North Port High School
• Clearwater Woman Charged In Hit-And-Run Death Of Pedestrian
• Attempted Homicide Charge Filed Against Juvenile In Pasco County Stabbing: Sheriff