Nov. 30, 1998

Remains found believed to be those of woman kidnapped by former husband
News-Journal Wire Services

OCALA NATIONAL FOREST - Authorities believe a body found in Ocala National Forest is that of a Marion County woman kidnapped last month by her former husband.

The woman's body was tentatively identified by police as that of Rebecca Bailey Dannelly, 43, Summerfield. The body was found off Forest Road 67 after hunters noticed drag marks across the road.

Sgt. Gregg Eason with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission walked across the woods and found several scattered items of clothing, a watch, earrings and a black tennis shoe.

A Marion County Sheriff's dog found the skeletal remains about 75 feet into the woods on the other side of the road.

Although no animal tracks were found, authorities said a bear probably dragged the body across the road.

Investigators also found the Halloween vest that Ms. Dannelly was wearing on Oct. 30, when she was last seen being dragged into a white Jeep Cherokee by a man later identified by witnesses as Roy Dannelly.

Dannelly, 55, is being held at the Marion County Jail without bond on murder and kidnapping charges. The Summerfield resident is accused of fatally shooting William Kearsing, 64, the same night he allegedly abducted his former wife.

Kearsing, his wife and Ms. Dannelly were close friends from Schaghticoke, N.Y. Witnesses saw Kearsing arguing with a man described as Dannelly at Kearsing's Summerfield home. Kearsing was then shot in the back. Ms. Dannelly was dragged off and hasn't been seen since.

The remains must be positively identified by dental records or DNA, but other evidence indicates the remains were those of Ms. Dannelly, said Lt. Terry Bovaird of the sheriff's major crime unit.

"We knew what she was wearing that night," Bovaird said. "At this point, we do believe it's her."

Dannelly has not yet been charged with the second murder.

"We're not going to place any charges on him right now," said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Brad Smith. "Time is on our side, so we're going to gather all the facts and all the information as thoroughly as possible and make contact with the lead prosecutor before we proceed any further with charges."

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