Florida man arrested for 1987 cold case murder of Melissa Taylor Ellison

In July 2026, authorities in Florida arrested 70-year-old Gary Glovats for the 1987 murder of 20-year-old Melissa Taylor Ellison. The victim had been found dead in her bedroom in December 1987, while her 13-month-old daughter was discovered unharmed in the living room. The case remained unsolved for nearly four decades until Glovats contacted the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on July 8, 2026, stating that he wanted to resolve his involvement in the crime.

Glovats confessed to authorities that he had broken into the victim’s home in search of money and struck her with a piece of wood. He claimed he only realized he was responsible for her death after reading a news article about the cold case in March 2026. Following his admission, he was charged with second-degree murder and armed burglary with assault or battery. He is currently being held in jail without the possibility of bail.