Two Cold Cases in Kissimmee Solved After Years of Investigation

Two long-unsolved homicides in Kissimmee, Florida, have been resolved, bringing closure to the victims’ families. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office announced the resolutions of the cases, one stemming from a 2007 stabbing and the other from a 2022 shooting.

Why It Matters

The resolution of these cases highlights the impact of dedicated investigative efforts in cold case resolutions. For the families of the victims, this development offers a sense of closure and the possibility of healing after years of uncertainty. It also underscores the importance of continued support for cold case initiatives in law enforcement.

Key Developments

• De’Andre Nathaniel Wellnitz Case (2007): Murdered at a house party, his case went cold until a person of interest was identified in 2024. Investigators concluded the stabbing was an act of self-defense.

• Jommil Baez-Quinones Case (2022): This case involved a fatal shooting. In October 2024, authorities arrested Luis Eluvar Gonzalez, who now faces charges related to the crime.

• Sheriff’s Cold Case Program: Formed in 2024, it has successfully closed two out of the 32 cold cases in Osceola County.

Full Report

De’Andre Nathaniel Wellnitz Case

On June 24, 2007, 17-year-old De’Andre Nathaniel Wellnitz was fatally stabbed while attending a party in Osceola County. Despite ongoing investigations, the case languished for years until investigators reexamined evidence and identified a person of interest in October 2024. This individual, found in Orlando, acknowledged attending the party and claimed he defended himself during a confrontation, leading authorities to determine that no charges would be filed.

Kelly McDonald, Wellnitz’s mother, expressed gratitude for the clarity provided by investigators, stating, “What it has done for me has given me closure… I’m able to stop playing the story that I’ve played for 18 years over and over again in my head.” She added her hope that other families suffering similar losses can also find closure.

Jommil Baez-Quinones Case

The second case involved the February 23, 2022, shooting of Jommil Baez-Quinones, who was shot multiple times near Indian Point Circle. The case stagnated until October 2024 when investigators reopened it, resulting in the identification and arrest of 23-year-old Luis Eluvar Gonzalez. He faces charges of first-degree manslaughter with a weapon and first-degree robbery with a firearm related to Baez-Quinones’s death.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Cold Case Program has so far solved two cases since its establishment, emphasizing law enforcement’s commitment to bringing justice to unresolved cases.

Context & Previous Events

Both cases remained cold until new evidence and renewed investigative efforts led to their resolution. The Sheriff’s Cold Case Program, formed in 2024, aims to address the 32 ongoing unsolved cases within the county, as the community continues to seek justice for long-forgotten victims.