35-YEAR-OLD MURDER CASE

A man found murdered in Escambia County 35 years ago has been identified. The body of 85-year-old William Thompson, was found in the area of west Klondike Road and Wild Lake Boulevard on January 23, 1985. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department investigated, but he was not identified and no leads were developed. However, in 2018, a person searching for their missing family member read the story on the Sheriff’s Office website and contacted investigators. The family member’s DNA matched the DNA from the body, confirming Thompson’s identity. Chief Deputy Chip Simmons said the case is being actively worked as a homicide and anyone with information about William Thompson’s murder is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department or to make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP.