The Sanford Police Department has announced an arrest in the 1999 cold case homicide of Sherry Holtz. On December 4, 1999, at approximately 11:24 am, a body was discovered in the woods behind a business in the 2800 block of South Orland Drive (Aamco Transmissions). The body, found by a person collecting cans, was identified as 50-year-old Sherry Holtz. She had been living intermittently between a home on Crows Bluff Lane and a camp in the wooded area where her body was found.
The investigation revealed a brutal homicide. Holtz was found lying on her back on a concrete slab, with her clothing mostly removed, exposing her body. Her throat was cut, which was determined to be the main cause of death, but there was also evidence of strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. Additionally, there were numerous lacerations on her upper body and evidence of severe sexual trauma. A sexual assault kit performed at the time came back negative for any DNA processing. A lock blade knife was found near the body, and tests in 2000 indicated the possible presence of human blood, although it was insufficient in size for testing.
In 1999, the investigation revealed that Holtz had been living with her long-time boyfriend, Gary Durrance, and three other individuals on Crows Bluff Lane. Interviews with the housemates determined that Durrance and Holtz had argued on December 2, a day before the homicide, and Durrance had kicked her out of the house. Holtz was last seen on December 3, 1999, at Uncle Nick’s Bar, located in the 2600 block of Park Drive in Sanford, FL. Witnesses reported that she left the bar sometime between 7:30 pm and 11:00 pm, possibly with two male persons of interest.
Sanford PD had several reports of domestic violence incidents involving Holtz and Durrance between 1996 and 1999. Roommate statements placed Durrance at the Crows Bluff house for parts of the night. Two roommates stated that Durrance left the house either late on the 3rd or early on the 4th and returned between 2:30 am and 7:00 am on the 4th. Durrance claimed he had not seen Holtz since December 1, which was inconsistent with the roommates’ statements about their argument on December 2. No further evidence was found against Durrance or the two persons of interest from the bar at the time.
In May 2023, Crimes Investigator Justin Hooper and Crime Scene Technician Katherine Lopez reopened the case. Evidence related to the sexual assault kit and knife was resubmitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). In June 2024, results confirmed Holtz’s blood on the blade of the knife. Original persons of interest from the bar were excluded based on DNA found on the knife. A positive match for Gary Durrance’s DNA was found on the handle of the knife. Although the DNA sample was too small to test in 1999, updated technology allowed for a positive match.
Reinterviews with witnesses from the 1999 investigation provided significant evidence. Durrance had made statements indicating he had seen Holtz’s body and had been involved in the crime scene, statements made before the body was discovered.
As a result of these updates, an arrest warrant was issued for Gary Durrance on July 17, 2024. On July 18, he was located in Orange City, Volusia County, living in a wooded area off Veterans Memorial Parkway. Durrance was taken into custody and charged with second-degree homicide. He admitted his involvement in the homicide.
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