Jacksonville man found guilty of murder in 1984 killing of Navy recruit

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man was convicted by a Sanford County jury Thursday in the 1984 killing of a Navy recruit.

Thomas Garner, 61, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Pamela Cahanes.

Pamela Cahanes (via Seminole County Sheriff's Office)

Cahanes’ body was found in the yard of an abandoned home in Sanford. Investigators found that she was sexually assaulted.

Garner was arrested in Jacksonville in 2019. At that time, investigators said DNA evidence helped them build the case against Garner by tracing his family lineage, and building a DNA profile.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details and watch FOX30 Action News Jax at 4 for the latest updates.

#BREAKING: Seminole Co. Jury finds #Jacksonville man, Thomas Garner, 61, guilty of killing Navy recruit Pamela Cahanes in Sanford, FL in 1984.

Her body was found murdered & sexually assaulted in the yard of an abandoned home.

Garner was arrested in Jax in 2019. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/RcKh9PrjLT
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanANJax) May 6, 2021