Ocoee PD identifies remains in cold case

A retired detective of the Ocoee Police Department has identified the remains of a man who went missing in 2013. 

The skeletal remains that were found on the side of the Florida's Turnpike in 2016 were identified as Lloyd Williams.

In 2023, retired Detective Michelle Grogan began re-examining the evidence when she saw loyalty rewards cards on the keys for CVS and Winn-Dixie. Subpoenas for the establishments were written and sent to their parent companies. 

As she awaited the results of the subpoenas, Grogan listed the skeletal remains with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, DOE Network and the Black and Missing Foundation. 

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System created a composite sketch of the skeletal remain's features. Grogran uploaded the sketches to databases and Othram, a genetic genealogy company that aides police departments, determined the remains were that of a Jamaican-born male. 

Grogan was provided three potential relatives, and she contacted the relatives. 

After 18 months of investigating, Winn-Dixie provided the name and date of birth of the loyalty card member. 

Grogan was able to match that information to the listed missing person out of the Orange County Sheriff's Office from 2013, and she was able to obtain a phone number of Williams' son Lancelot Williams, who resides in Jamaica. 

The DNA of Williams and his son matched, finally bringing a three-year investigation to a close and confirming the identify of the skeletal remains. 

"Mr. Williams' son was extremely grateful to the Ocoee Police Department, NAMUS and Othram, whom all worked together to give the skeletal remains his name back," Grogan said.