On December 1, 1994, 74-year-old Emily Wallace and her 88-year-old mother Treva Gernannt were found dead in their home at 1031 SE 3rd Avenue in Gainesville after a fire was reported about 12:45 a.m. Firefighters located the two bodies while sifting through wreckage after part of the roof collapsed; the blaze originated in the attic and is believed to have started when the gas heater exhaust ignited wooden beams.

Although the fire initially appeared to have caused the deaths, investigators later determined Treva had stab wounds to her neck, and the house had been ransacked—possibly from both the fire and an earlier intrusion. Authorities have treated the incident as a suspicious double homicide; no arrests have been announced and the case remains unsolved. Emily had been seen at a church service the evening before, while Treva had stayed home sick.

Anyone who knew the women, saw activity near 1031 SE 3rd Avenue on or before December 1, 1994, or has information about the fire or possible intrusion is asked to contact the Gainesville Police Department.