For nearly two decades, the stabbing death of seventeen-year-old De’Andre Wellnitz haunted his mother, a relentless replay of unanswered questions and agonizing grief. The incident, a tragic eruption of violence at a Kissimmee house party in 2007, quickly stalled, becoming another cold case lost to time.
Then, a breakthrough. In October of this year, investigators within the Osceola County Sheriff's Office’s newly formed Cold Case Program identified a person of interest. The individual, located in Orlando, confessed to being present at the party and admitted to a physical altercation.
During the fight, he explained, he’d been struck and, in a desperate attempt to ward off further attack, grabbed a kitchen knife and waved it defensively. Investigators meticulously reviewed the evidence and determined the action was, tragically, an act of self-defense. No charges would be filed.
The news, while unexpected, brought a profound sense of peace to Kelly McDonald, De’Andre’s mother. “I appreciate the empathy that was shown,” she shared, “What it has done for me has given me closure… I'm able to stop playing the story that I've played for 18 years over and over again in my head.”
Just months earlier, another Kissimmee family endured a similar torment. On February 23, 2022, Jommil Baez-Quinones was fatally shot near Indian Point Circle. Despite an initial intensive investigation, the case grew cold, leaving his loved ones in a state of agonizing uncertainty.
The Cold Case Program, established earlier in 2024, took on the Baez-Quinones investigation in October. Their renewed efforts quickly yielded results, identifying Luis Eluvar Gonzalez, 23, as a suspect.
With the assistance of U.S. Marshals, Gonzalez was apprehended and now faces charges of first-degree manslaughter with a weapon and first-degree robbery with a firearm in connection with Baez-Quinones’ death. The arrest offers a glimmer of justice after years of pain.
The program’s early success – solving two cases from a backlog of thirty-two – demonstrates a powerful commitment to bringing closure to families long burdened by loss. It’s a testament to the enduring hope that even the coldest cases can, eventually, be brought to light.
For McDonald, the resolution isn’t about punishment, but about understanding. She hopes her experience offers solace to others facing similar heartbreak, reminding them that even an unexpected truth can bring a measure of peace.
