Florida woman’s 1986 murder suspect apprehended using previously collected fingerprints.

Authorities in Florida have apprehended a suspect in connection with a nearly four-decade-old murder case, bringing renewed attention to a tragic incident that has haunted the community of North Miami Beach. Jeffrey Taylor, 64, has been accused of the 1986 killing of Shirley Brant, a 49-year-old real estate broker, during an attempted robbery at her office on June 13 of that year.

According to police reports, Brant was engaged in a phone call with a client when two men entered her office. One suspect demanded that she hang up, a request she defied, leading to the fatal confrontation. Taylor, now identified as the shooter, allegedly discharged a firearm, striking Brant in the face.

Emergency responders transported Brant to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter. A forensic examination determined that she had died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The crime scene yielded fingerprints; however, these were not entered into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) due to constraints in the available technology at that time, which left the case unsolved for nearly 40 years.

The investigation gained new momentum in January 2023 when a cold case unit was established to revisit unresolved homicides. Brant’s case was reexamined and drew renewed interest after two retired detectives were enlisted to assist in the inquiry. Using advanced forensic techniques that were not accessible at the time of the original investigation, detectives re-analyzed the fingerprints recovered from Brant’s office. This technology led to a breakthrough, ultimately matching the prints to Taylor.

Taylor was arrested on Thursday and is facing charges of second-degree murder with a firearm. In a statement following the arrest, North Miami Beach Police Chief Juan Pinillos expressed a sense of closure for the victim’s family, asserting that justice has finally been served.

While Taylor’s apprehension marks a significant step forward in the case, investigators are still actively seeking the second suspect involved in the crime. Authorities have pledged to continue their efforts until all parties responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice, reflecting a steadfast commitment to resolving this long-standing case.