Press Releases

Denise Long murder
Jan. 9, 2010

A mother desperate for closure and justice still waits for the day that her daughter’s killer will be put behind bars. The unsolved murder means a large cash reward remains unclaimed.

A decade has passed since the last time Venita Coles saw her daughter – who went missing during the holiday season of 1999 – and was later found murdered 10 years ago this month.

“It’s very, very hard. I still wake up every night wondering what happened to my daughter and why someone killed her. And why no one will come forward," said mom Venita Coles.

Denise Long was a young woman trying to find her way in life. But that ended when an unknown assailant committed murder - then left Denise’s body in a thick wooded area of Bonita Springs.

Detectives say Denise may have been there for a few weeks before she was found in mid-January. To this day, her killer remains at large.

Denise Long’s picture remains on a wall at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, serving as a constant reminder that her case is still unsolved. Both detectives, and Denise’s family, remain vigilant in pleading with people in the know to finally break their silence and do what’s right.

“It’s difficult to know that people won’t come forward. It could have been their daughter, or sister, or their mother," Coles said.

Detectives are confident there are still people in the Bonita area who know what happened to Denise Long. Despite the time that has passed, they remain hopeful that someone will come forward, and clear their conscience.

“The people involved were familiar with one another… we hope someone will come forward and tell us the truth about what happened," said Det. Bill Murphy of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

But until the day an arrest is made in Denise’s case, her mom vows to continue doing everything she can to make sure her daughter’s killer is found – and brought to justice.

“I love her so much and I can’t get over it. But I want them caught – they have to be caught. I won’t give up," Coles said.

Anyone with information on the 1999 murder of Denise Long is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips can also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org.