He Lived Quietly for Decades. Now the 'Nice Fella' Next Door Is Accused of Stabbing Woman 17 Times

Authorities in Florida have arrested a suspect in the 34-year-old cold case murder of a single mother who was brutally stabbed and left to die on the side of the road.

The St. Cloud Police Department announced the arrest of Gene Stuller, 72, who is now charged with the murder of 27-year-old Julia Wilbanks in 1991.

Police Chief Douglas Goerke said at a news conference that advancements in DNA technology — in this case genetic genealogy — allowed police to match the DNA found on Wilbanks’ body to Stuller.

Wilbanks died after being “brutally stabbed approximately 17 times, including fatal wounds to her heart,” Chief Goerke said.

She had been dead on the side of the road for over 24 hours before a group of motorists noticed her body and then flagged down a passing police officer, Goerke said.

The news of Stuller’s arrest for this crime shocked a number of his neighbors in Apopka, a city located approximately 20 miles northwest of Orlando.

“Nice fella… I don’t know what happened,” Gerald Lamm said in an interview with WESH.

Lamm went on to call Stuller “outgoing” and “jolly” before adding: “”I like the guy, he’s always been a good guy… I’m going to miss him.”

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Chief Goerke said that the case had been reopened back in 2012, but it was not until earlier this year that police found a possible match to the DNA found on Wilbanks’ body.

Officers then conducted surveillance on Stuller and were able to obtain a straw he used, which provided them with enough DNA to make a match, Choef Goerke said,

Stuller is now charged with second-degree murder and disturbing a body.

He is set to make his first court appearance this week. It was not immediately clear if he has retained an attorney or entered a plea.

“The St. Cloud Police Department is committed to seeking justice for Ms. Wilbanks and her family, as well as other unsolved cases,” said Chief Goerke. “As science becomes more advanced, it gives us opportunity to solve cases that couldn’t be solved in the past.”