On July 27, 1976, skeletal remains identified as 17-year-old Marilyn Elizabeth McKenzia were found in woods off Jackson Street in Wildwood, Florida. Marilyn had left Pennsylvania in November 1975 to work seasonal farm jobs, first picking apples and later harvesting watermelons with crews working between Immokalee and Wildwood. She was last seen getting into a blue and white Buick Electra 225 with two unknown men.

Authorities determined Marilyn’s death to be a homicide and suspected she had been physically beaten; they estimate she was killed about two months before her remains were recovered. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and its Cold Case Unit have investigated the case and appealed to the public for tips. If anyone has information about Marilyn, the vehicle, or the two men seen with her, contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers with what can help bring her killers to justice.