Michelle Hart was 20 when she was killed after a night in downtown Fort Myers on February 11–12, 1983. Living in a van on Main Street in Fort Myers Beach with her boyfriend, she had spent the afternoon meeting an attorney and later visited the Pic-Wic pool hall, where witnesses saw her speaking with two men while she asked around for a ride back to Fort Myers Beach.

Authorities believe Michelle left with one of those men, described about 25 years old, medium build, sandy brown hair past his shoulders, a full reddish beard to his chest, a raspy voice and wearing a green fatigue jacket. Her nude body, wearing only sandals and cheap silver-plated earrings, was found floating in the Caloosahatchee River near the Cape Coral bridge around 2:30 pm on February 12. The autopsy reported numerous blows from a heavy pipe-shaped object, and several items of jewelry were missing.

The case remains cold and investigators continue to seek the two men last seen with Michelle. If anyone knew Michelle, saw her that night, or has information about the men she spoke with, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.