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Former Deputy Confesses to 1979 Cold Case Murders in Charlotte County

A visual representation of the chilling atmosphere surrounding the Charlotte County cold case.

News Summary

A shocking confession has emerged from John J. Greer, a former deputy implicated in the 1979 murders of store clerk Adele Marie Easterly and his wife, Jackie Greer. After decades of mystery, Greer’s admission reveals a dark history, linking him to both deaths. The cold case, long considered unsolvable, has prompted renewed investigations into his past, with lingering questions about the nature of the deaths. This chilling disclosure marks a significant development in a case that has haunted Charlotte County for generations.

Charlotte County Shocker: Former Deputy Named Suspect in 1979 Cold Case Murders

Charlotte County, Florida, has been rocked by shocking revelations surrounding the cold case murders of local store clerk Adele Marie Easterly and her acquaintance, former deputy’s wife Jackie Greer. After decades of mystery, investigators from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office have identified John J. Greer as the shooter responsible for these heinous crimes committed back in the late 1970s.

Unraveling the Past

Greer, who once wore the badge as a deputy with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, admitted during an interview in 2023 that he killed both women. His statements came while lying bedridden in a care facility located in Kingsport, Tennessee. The chilling confession finally linked him to the deaths that had haunted the county for more than four decades.

The events unfolded on August 27, 1979, when Greer reported that his wife, Jackie, had taken her own life, stating she shot herself in their home in Port Charlotte. Initially classified as a suicide, the circumstances surrounding Jackie’s death were peculiar. Glaring red flags, however, surrounded Greer’s behavior, which left many feeling uneasy about his version of events.

The Gruesome Murder of Adele Easterly

Fast forward to November 5, 1979, a day when 25-year-old Adele Easterly was shot dead at the Farm Store on Highway 17 in Punta Gorda. Medical examiners painted a gruesome picture; Easterly was shot twice with a 12-gauge shotgun—once in the back and once in the head. No spent shotgun shells were found at the scene, raising additional suspicions regarding the true circumstances of her tragic death.

Though investigators were on alert due to Greer’s bizarre actions, they lacked the solid evidence needed to charge him at the time, leaving the case cold. Greer’s history of troubling behavior piled up, leading to whispers of his involvement in other suspicious incidents, including the mysterious death of another acquaintance in her car in the early 1980s.

The Downfall of a Deputy and Daring Investigations

In October 1980, Greer resigned from the Sheriff’s Office amid investigations into his conduct, further casting shadows over his character and intentions. His unsettling past didn’t stop there. One particularly alarming incident involved a former Sheriff’s Office Explorer who accused Greer of committing multiple sexual assaults and even made terrifying references to Adele Easterly.

With the case seemingly at a standstill, the Cold Case Unit eventually began re-examining the evidence in 2009. In an effort to generate fresh leads, they even shared bits of information with the public in 2016, hoping for a break. Greer had settled down in Kingsport, TN for years, carefully monitored by detectives even from a distance.

A Grim Confession and the Legacy of a Cold Case

During a somber interview in April 2023, Greer’s declining health showed, with his answers being short and to the point. Nonetheless, he did confirm that he was responsible for the deaths of both women, adding an unsettling conclusion to a story that had lingered for far too long. As for Jackie’s death? Authorities still grapple with whether it was an accident or murder, with Greer maintaining that it was an accident during the years since.

Sadly, Greer passed away in March 2024 at the care facility at the age of 77, leaving behind more questions than answers. While the veil has been lifted on these cold cases, the Cold Case Unit continues to investigate whether Greer was involved in other violent crimes, though no additional victims have been identified so far. What was once a dark mystery in Charlotte County now takes on a new light, as the search for justice continues.