Scott Edward Nelson could face death penalty in Winter Park nanny murder

The death penalty review panel at State Attorney Aramis Ayala’s office has considered and unanimously recommended death on the case of State v. Scott Edward Nelson, according to Public Information Officer Eryka Washington.

The Orange County Grand Jury issued an indictment of first degree murder Wednesday morning and a death notice has been filed. 

The Winter Park Police Department recently established probable cause to charge Scott Edward Nelson with the abduction and murder of Altamonte Springs resident Jennifer Fulford in late September.

A warrant was issued for Nelson’s arrest on Tuesday, Dec. 5, for charges of first-degree murder with a weapon, burglary of a dwelling with an assault/battery therein with a weapon, carjacking with a deadly weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, and tampering with a witness to hinder communication to a law enforcement officer in a life felony.

Nelson, 53, was previously arrested Oct. 1 in Jacksonville at a hotel by law enforcement for violating his probation, said Sgt. Garvin McComie, of the Winter Park Police Department. He remains in federal custody.

“It’s a great relief that we were able to capture this guy and take him into custody,” McComie said. “There’s a public concern and a safety concern.”

Fulford, 56, was first reported missing on Wednesday, Sept. 27, and was last seen at the 100 block of Webster Avenue, where she reportedly worked as a nanny.

Police found her Hyundai Santa Fe abandoned the next day in Orange County off Colonial Drive.

Fulford’s body was later found on Saturday, Sept. 30, in Southwest Orange County, according to Winter Park Police Chief Michael Deal.

According to federal court documents, Nelson has a history of violence, mental illness and substance abuse, along with a past criminal history that includes kidnapping, assaulting and robbing his own father and a bank robbery. 

Nelson recently sent a bizarre letter laden with foul language and racial slurs to United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida Anne C. Conway that started off “Yo [expletive], it’s me yo boy in dah joint….” In the letter, he requests a bottom bunk in a cell by himself and that he be given a food server in prison so he can get extra food.

The letter concludes with a comment regarding Fulford, accompanied by a smiling, winking drawn face.

“There are many things you don’t know!” Nelson wrote.

McComie said he was unsure when Nelson would be released from federal custody.