David Haire

David G. Haire was a kind, generous man and a friend to all who knew him. Born on November 5, 1946, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Dave was a 1964 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. After graduation, he served for nine years in the United States Air Force. In 1983, he relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, where he established himself as a business owner, operating a construction company called Custom Reconstruction and a computer services company, Custom Unique Services. Beyond his work, the 52-year-old male was dedicated to his community, serving as the president of the Children's New Hope Foundation. He was a beloved son, father, and grandson, and for 18 years, the cherished companion of his girlfriend, Vicki Mankins.

The last days of August 1999 brought a tragic and violent end to David’s life. He and his girlfriend had just returned from a vacation two days before he was found. On the morning of Tuesday, August 31, 1999, at approximately 9:19 a.m., the Lee County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting a deceased person. Deputies were dispatched to David’s computer business, located at 504 Center Road in a commercial park near Page Field in Fort Myers. Inside, they discovered David’s body.

The subsequent investigation determined that David Haire had died from multiple stab wounds, and his death was officially ruled a homicide. Friends noted that it was not unusual for David to sleep at his business, which might explain why no one had raised an alarm sooner. The discovery was a shock to those who knew him, who described him as a man with no enemies.

In the immediate aftermath of the murder, investigators with the Lee County Sheriff's Office seemed optimistic. A lieutenant told the press at the time, "We have several suspects who have come into contact or do business with the victim that we'd like to talk to." Despite this initial confidence and the identification of potential persons of interest, the investigation stalled, and no arrests were ever made. The case slowly grew cold, leaving a family and community searching for answers.

Over the years, David's mother has kept his memory alive, publishing a memorial in the local newspaper expressing her profound loss. The case has not been forgotten by law enforcement, either. It is now listed as an open cold case with the Cold Case Homicide Unit of the State Attorney's Office for the 20th Judicial Circuit. This specialized unit, formed in 2019, reviews unsolved murders, hoping to develop new leads through modern technology and fresh eyes.

As of December 2025, more than two decades after he was killed, David Haire's murder remains unsolved. Authorities continue to seek information from the public that could finally lead to an arrest and bring a measure of justice to his loved ones. The State Attorney's Office encourages anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Cold Case Homicide Unit's tip line at 833-987-2611.