George Kilgore

Man stabbed to death in his front yard in broad daylight
George “Jody” Kilgore was a lifelong resident of Wakulla County, Florida, a man deeply connected to its coastal waters and close-knit community. The 50-year-old was a husband, a father to two sons, George and Chet, and a doting grandfather. He met his wife, Susan, when they were teenagers at Shell Point Beach, and they married at Wakulla Springs in 1982. Together, they built a home on a piece of land in Crawfordville, chosen for a large live oak tree that shaded their property. There, they raised their family and made a life. An avid fisherman, Jody had worked as a commercial fisherman before becoming a master electrician and co-owning his own business, Kilgore and Gregory LLC. His family remembers him as a hard worker, a great dad who coached Little League, and a comedian at heart who loved to joke.

The morning of October 6, 2014, shattered the family’s happy life. Just after 10 a.m., deputies from the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office were called to Kilgore’s home at 55 Spring Court. They found his body in the driveway. He had been stabbed to death in broad daylight. The shocking discovery was made by his best friend and business partner, who lived nearby. A neighbor later told reporters they had heard arguing shortly before 10 a.m. but hadn’t thought much of it until law enforcement arrived. The killing stunned the small, rural community, where homicides are rare.

The investigation was launched by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Detectives canvassed the neighborhood and searched the surrounding woods, while an FDLE crime lab team spent at least two days collecting evidence from the scene. Despite these efforts, the case grew cold. Investigators have remained tight-lipped about the details of the evidence, citing the active investigation. In 2021, Wakulla County Sheriff Jared Miller, who inherited the case when he took office in 2017, acknowledged that the investigation had been mismanaged in its early stages. He noted that his office had since done "some cleaning up" and had sent evidence to private labs for further analysis.

No suspects have ever been publicly named, and no arrests have been made. The motive for the killing remains a mystery to investigators, who have noted that Kilgore was not known to be involved in any criminal activity. His family has acknowledged that he was going through a difficult period before his death; work had become scarce, and he was dealing with some personal issues. State records show he had dissolved his business two years prior. A private investigator who worked for the family, William Poole, stated he believes the evidence points toward a specific suspect, but his theory has not led to any official charges.

In the years since the murder, Kilgore’s family has refused to let his memory or the search for justice fade. Led by his mother, Gladys, and his sister, Robin Stevens, they have worked tirelessly to keep the case in the public eye. They have put up billboards, worn “Justice for Jody” shirts, made memorial bracelets, and posted reward signs around town. Every year on the anniversary of his death, they hold a rally and candlelight vigil at the Wakulla County Courthouse, reminding the community that Wakulla County’s only unsolved homicide case is not forgotten. “I go to sleep thinking of Jody. I wake up thinking of Jody and I’ll never, ever give up,” his mother said.

The family’s profound loss is a constant presence in their lives. His son George spoke of no longer being able to turn to his father for advice, while his son Chet expressed regret for not going fishing with him more often. His sister Robin wished she had told him she loved him more. They want answers, not just for their own peace, but to hold someone accountable. “I want whoever did this to pay for it,” his wife Susan said through tears.

As of October 2022, the investigation into the murder of George “Jody” Kilgore remains open and active. His family continues to hope that new technology or a witness with a long-held secret will finally bring a breakthrough. A reward of $7,000 is offered by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Crime Stoppers for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to call Big Bend Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous.