ORLANDO, Fla. – More than 20 years after human remains were found in the Christmas area of Orange County, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office now knows who the victim was, and they are looking for information that could help solve her murder.
The sheriff’s office says advancements in genetic genealogy helped them identify the remains of 26-year-old Holly Rose Leavines Garcia.
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The skeletal remains were found on Dec. 29, 2003, along Taylor Creek Road, an undeveloped part of east Orange County. While detectives were able to determine that the person was murdered, they were not able to identify the body. Despite putting out a composite sketch of the victim and pictures of jewelry found with the remains, no one ever came forward.
Detectives say they do not believe the victim was killed in the area where her body was found.
The sheriff’s office collaborated with a lab to develop a DNA profile, allowing genealogists to identify a match. The medical examiner’s office positively identified the remains as Garcia in March 2024.
Garcia was never reported missing, the sheriff’s office said.
Now detectives are looking for anyone who may have known Garcia who can help provide information that may lead to whoever killed her.
Deputies believe Garcia, a wife and mother, lived at Palm Bay Apartments off South Semoran Boulevard in 2002. They also believe she lived at Hollowbrook Apartments off Curry Ford Road in 2003.
They are also looking for her husband, Miguel, Angel Garcia-Rivera, and would like to speak to him or any family members. Detectives do not know where he is.
Anyone with information can call the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit at 407-836-4357, or call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
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