Florida is known for its sandy beaches, sunny weather, and quirky headlines. But behind the palm trees and pastel sunsets lies a darker, more mysterious side of the Sunshine State. A place where questions linger, suspects vanish, and the truth remains elusive. And while we keep our murder mysteries theatrical (and light-hearted), the cases we’re about to explore are all too real—and still unsolved.
From the haunted mangroves of the Gulf Coast to the shadowy corners of Miami, Florida has long been a backdrop for tales of intrigue. The state’s vibrant history, transient population, and sprawling landscapes make it the perfect breeding ground for mystery. And while we serve up more fun and lighthearted whodunits, the following five tales are as real—and unresolved—as it gets.
So dim the lights, pour yourself a drink, and prepare to uncover five famous unsolved murders in Florida that continue to haunt us to this day.
1. Skeletons in Fort Myers? The Hog Trail Victims
In 2007, the sleepy calm of Fort Myers was shattered when hikers exploring a wooded area just east of Fort Myers made a grim discovery: human bones scattered among the palmettos. Over time, investigators recovered the skeletal remains of eight individuals—all male—and all victims of what authorities believe was a serial killer.
Nicknamed the “Hog Trail Murders” for the remote trail where the bones were found, this case remains one of the most disturbing unsolved murders in Fort Myers, Florida. While one man, Daniel Conahan, was convicted for a similar 1996 murder and suspected in several others, authorities have never definitively connected him to all eight bodies.
Despite DNA analysis and media coverage, the victims remain mostly unidentified, and no additional charges have been filed. The haunting discovery continues to baffle investigators and true crime enthusiasts alike, keeping it firmly on the list of the most famous unsolved murders in Florida. Today, the mystery remains a dark chapter in Fort Myers’ history, and a chilling reminder that sometimes the answers lie just out of reach.
2. A Gulfstream Ghost Ship? The Vanishing of the Freedon Freighter
It was supposed to be a mission of peace and purpose. In December 1988, the freighter Freedon left the Port of Miami bound for Haiti, carrying humanitarian supplies and a crew of nine people. But just days after departure, the vessel vanished without a trace.
Among those aboard was 23-year-old Lisa Bishop, a journalism student eager to document the ship’s goodwill mission, and Florian Bourch, a mysterious young sea captain whom Bishop had recently befriended. Bishop reportedly called her boyfriend from the ship before it departed—but that was the last anyone ever heard from her. The U.S. Coast Guard was never able to locate the ship or its passengers.
Was it a tragic maritime accident, or something more sinister? Some suggest piracy, while others believe it may have been targeted by smugglers or sank in rough seas. Despite a high-profile feature on Unsolved Mysteries and widespread media attention, no conclusive evidence has surfaced. It's now one of the most famous Florida Keys mysteries—and the sea has kept its secrets.
3. Gone in Coconut Grove? The Amy Billig Case
In 1974, 17-year-old Amy Billig disappeared while hitchhiking in Coconut Grove, a bohemian neighborhood in Miami. Her mother, Susan, launched a tireless search that would span decades and take her across the country, following cryptic clues and terrifying leads.
Over the years, Susan received hundreds of anonymous phone calls claiming to know what happened to Amy. One caller claimed Amy had been abducted by a biker gang and kept as a sex slave—a horrifying claim that authorities could never verify. Susan even tracked down former gang members and traveled to biker rallies in pursuit of the truth—but to no avail.
Despite reported sightings and extensive efforts, Amy’s fate remains unknown. The emotional toll on her family was immense, and though Susan passed away in 2005, the mystery still looms large. Her story is a heartbreaking reminder of how unsolved murders in Florida continue to haunt the families left behind.
4. A Mysterious Immolation? Mary Reeser’s Fiery End
On the evening of July 1, 1951, 67-year-old Mary Reeser said goodbye to her adult son, slipped into a nightgown, sat down in her overstuffed easy chair in the middle of her St. Petersburg apartment, popped two sleeping pills, and lit a cigarette to enjoy before bed. The next morning, Reeser's landlady came to deliver a telegram—and found a smoldering pile of ashes.
The only part of Mary’s body that remained intact was her left foot, still inside a slipper. Her chair and a small circle of carpet were incinerated, but the rest of the room remained eerily untouched. Authorities were baffled. How could such intense heat destroy a human body but leave everything else largely unharmed?
Some believed a fallen cigarette and flammable clothing may have caused the fire, though the exact circumstances remain murky. Others speculated it was spontaneous human combustion, a fringe theory that gained traction in the media and public imagination. To this day, no definitive explanation exists for Mary Reeser’s bizarre demise. Her story remains one of the strangest unsolved murders in Florida and continues to captivate skeptics and believers alike.
5. A Serial Killer Strikes Air? The Flat Tire Murders
During the mid-1970s, a serial killer stalked the highways between Broward and Miami-Dade counties. His method? Offering help to women who had been stranded by flat tires—tires he likely deflated himself. By the time investigators linked the pattern, 12 women and girls had been found murdered, their bodies dumped in or near South Florida canals.
Despite multiple suspects and extensive media attention, no one was ever convicted. In 2023, the case resurfaced when the Broward County Sheriff's Office announced that DNA collected from the victims' clothing had led them to a new suspect—a known felon by the name of Robert Clark Keebler. The catch? Keebler died in July 2019.
Law enforcement considers it possible that Keebler had an accomplice, leaving this chilling case as one of the most famous unsolved murders in Florida. And the idea that the killer used such a simple ruse—just a flat tire—to lure his victims adds an unsettling layer of everyday vulnerability to an already harrowing mystery.
A Lighter Kind of Mystery Awaits You in Fort Myers...
While these true stories of unsolved murders in Florida can send a shiver down your spine, not every mystery ends in a cold case. On the Murder Mystery Dinner Train, we invite you to explore your inner detective in a setting that’s full of laughter, drama, and a delicious five-course meal.
No actual crime scenes here—just carefully plotted intrigue, theatrical thrills, and a chance to put your sleuthing skills to the test in one of our lighthearted murder mysteries. So, if you’re ready to trade the dark twists of true crime for a fun evening of suspense and entertainment, book your tickets today!
Need Some More True-Crime Stories in Your Life?
Check out these other themed entries on our list: