Vernice Ruby Craig was 46 when her body was found in a secluded area of Immokalee, Florida, on May 23, 1980. Authorities determined she died of blunt-force trauma and treated the death as a homicide. The remote location of the discovery made locating immediate witnesses or suspects difficult, and despite investigation by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office the case went cold for lack of significant leads.

Her death was later included in a large exhumation project at Lake Trafford Cemetery, one of the largest such efforts in Florida, aimed at identifying victims of unsolved homicides from the area. That effort helped identify other victims but has not produced a breakthrough in Craig’s case. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek tips and hopes advances in forensic analysis or public information will eventually provide answers.

Anyone who knew Vernice Ruby Craig or has information relevant to her death is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.