death subsequently ruled a murder by the Medical Examiner.

During the investigation, JSO Homicide investigators located a person of interest, and he was identified as ‘Robert Vance’. He was believed to be one of the last known contacts she had prior to her death. Detectives interviewed Vance, who freely admitted to socializing with the victim, but also stated he was not involved in her death. At the time, Vance agreed to take a polygraph examination, however, he failed to show up at the agreed upon time the following day. Upon their attempts to locate Vance, detectives found his apartment abandoned and continued efforts were fruitless in locating him. Further investigation revealed Vance was an alias name for ‘Robert Richard Van Pelt’. Efforts to locate Van Pelt were exhausted, and the case was ultimately suspended until he could be located for further interview.

In 2008, JSO Cold Case detectives revisited the case. Efforts were again made to locate Van Pelt. Efforts to locate the potential suspect were futile and the case continued in a Cold Case status.

In July 2023, a family member of the victim contacted JSO Cold Case detectives requesting an update on the case. Members of the family had been corresponding with “Project Cold Case”, who suggested they reach out to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for an additional review of the case. Using modern technology and databases, along with current investigative techniques, detectives were able to determine Van Pelt had fled to Tampa immediately following the murder of Annie Mae, assuming a second alias, “John Leroy Harris”. Research into Harris revealed an incident report written by the Tampa Police Department in 1988. The report indicated he had been involved in the shooting of a female victim in their jurisdiction. That victim survived the shooting, but Harris committed suicide following the incident.

An extensive review of all available evidence from both incidents in the separate cities, applicable state and local records and an in-depth fingerprint analysis, it was determined “Robert Vance”, “John Leroy Harris” and “Robert Richard Van Pelt” were all the same person - Robert Richard Van Pelt, white male, 39 years old, in 1985.

Members of JSO’s Cold Case Unit presented these findings to the State Attorney’s Office of the 4th Judicial Circuit. After consulting with the SAO, they concurred with the investigative findings. And that, if Van Pelt were alive today, he would be charged with the murder of Annie Mae Ernest. As such, in December of 2023, the case was Exceptionally Cleared – Death of Offender. This brings the nearly four-decade case to a final resolution for Annie Mae, and closure to her surviving family members.