Bobby Ray Jones (8 of Clubs, Florida)
Digest
The episode delves into the unsolved murder of Bobby Ray Jones, a 33-year-old man who was shot and killed at the Long Branch bar in Darlington, Florida, in 1971. Bobby Ray had recently returned to Florida after a failed attempt to reconcile with his wife, Betty, following a love affair and escape to Alabama. He had found a new job and a place to stay, and things seemed to be turning around for him. However, on the morning of September 30th, he was found dead at the bar, shot multiple times. The investigation revealed that Bobby Ray had been working as a security guard at the bar, and that he had been shot after answering a knock at the door. His wife, Betty, heard the shots and found him collapsed on the floor. She was unable to provide any information about the attacker, but suspected it might have been someone Bobby Ray knew. Detectives explored various theories, including the possibility of a cold-blooded execution or a robbery gone wrong. They investigated Bobby Ray's past relationships, including his wife, Betty, and a married woman he had an affair with, Celia. They also looked into potential suspects who might have had a grudge against Bobby Ray. Despite numerous leads and interviews, the case remained unsolved for decades. One former detective, Fred Repress, believed that Bobby Ray's killer was Chipmunk's brother, a theory supported by the discovery of a captain's hat at the scene. However, the identity of Chipmunk and his brother remains unknown. In recent years, a new tip emerged, leading investigators to a new person of interest who was not connected to Bobby Ray's past relationships. This person has a history in the area and has been interviewed by investigators. The episode concludes with a plea from Bobby Ray's brother, Charles, for anyone with information about the murder to come forward. He urges the killer to do the right thing and clear their conscience.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the case of Bobby Ray Jones, a 33-year-old man who was murdered in Darlington, Florida in 1971. The episode will explore the circumstances surrounding his death and the investigation that followed.
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The Night of the Murder
This Chapter details the events of the night Bobby Ray Jones was murdered. It describes the scene of the crime, the discovery of his body, and the initial investigation by the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
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Bobby Ray's Life and Relationships
This Chapter provides background information on Bobby Ray Jones's life, including his marriage, his work history, and his relationships with other women. It explores the possibility that one of his former partners may have been involved in his murder.
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The Investigation and Suspects
This Chapter examines the investigation into Bobby Ray Jones's murder, highlighting the various suspects and theories that emerged over the years. It discusses the challenges faced by investigators due to limited evidence and the passage of time.
Keywords
Bobby Ray Jones
The victim of the unsolved murder case featured in the episode. He was a 33-year-old man who was shot and killed at the Long Branch bar in Darlington, Florida, in 1971. He had recently returned to Florida after a failed attempt to reconcile with his wife, Betty, following a love affair and escape to Alabama. He had found a new job and a place to stay, and things seemed to be turning around for him.
Long Branch
The bar in Darlington, Florida, where Bobby Ray Jones was murdered. It was known to be a rough and tumble place, and there was always something going on there. Bobby Ray had recently been hired by the bar's owner, Cecil Cochran, to work as a security guard.
Darlington, Florida
A rural area in Walton County, Florida, where the Long Branch bar is located. It is located in the panhandle of Florida, close to the Alabama state line.
Walton County Sheriff's Office
The law enforcement agency responsible for investigating Bobby Ray Jones's murder. They have been working on the case for decades, but it remains unsolved.
Betty Owens
Bobby Ray Jones's wife at the time of his murder. She was with him at the bar the night he was killed and discovered his body. She was unable to provide any information about the attacker, but suspected it might have been someone Bobby Ray knew.
Celia
A married woman with whom Bobby Ray Jones had an affair. She and Bobby Ray ran off together to Alabama, but things didn't work out, and he returned to Florida. Investigators considered Celia and her husband, Billy, as potential suspects in Bobby Ray's murder.
Chipmunk
A person mentioned in the episode as a potential suspect in Bobby Ray Jones's murder. The identity of Chipmunk is unknown, but it is believed that his brother may have been involved in the crime. The theory is based on the discovery of a captain's hat at the scene, which is believed to have belonged to Chipmunk's brother.
Fred Repress
A former detective who worked on Bobby Ray Jones's murder case. He believed that Chipmunk's brother was the killer. He passed away before the case was solved.
Q&A
What were the circumstances surrounding Bobby Ray Jones's murder?
Bobby Ray Jones was shot and killed at the Long Branch bar in Darlington, Florida, in 1971. He had recently returned to Florida after a failed attempt to reconcile with his wife, Betty, following a love affair and escape to Alabama. He had found a new job and a place to stay, and things seemed to be turning around for him. However, on the morning of September 30th, he was found dead at the bar, shot multiple times.
Who are the main suspects in Bobby Ray Jones's murder?
The main suspects in Bobby Ray Jones's murder include his wife, Betty, a married woman he had an affair with, Celia, and a person known only as Chipmunk's brother. Investigators have also recently identified a new person of interest who is not connected to Bobby Ray's past relationships.
What evidence was found at the scene of the crime?
The evidence found at the scene of the crime included casings from a 32-caliber pistol, which were different from the ammunition in Bobby Ray's gun. A black and white captain's hat was also found at the scene, which is believed to have belonged to Chipmunk's brother.
Why has the case remained unsolved for so long?
The case has remained unsolved for so long due to limited evidence at the scene, the passage of time, and the death of several key individuals involved in the investigation. However, investigators are still working on the case and are hoping to find new leads.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Investigators are currently following up with a new person of interest who has been identified in recent years. They are also hoping to find the true identity of Chipmunk and his brother to see if they have any information about the crime.
Show Notes
Our card this week is Bobby Ray Jones, the 8 of Clubs from Florida.
Bobby Ray Jones had just moved back to Walton County, Florida, in the late summer of 1971. It was a rebirth-of-sorts for this 33-year-old man. After getting caught up in a love affair and running off to Alabama, he had only recently returned to the sunshine state to try and reconcile with his wife. And seemingly, he was on track to do just that. He had already found a new job and a place to stay. Things were starting to turn around. So much so, that on September 29th, he even told his “mama” she had no reason to worry about him… and that he didn’t have “an enemy in the world.” But the very next morning, Bobby Ray was murdered…
- If you have any information about the death of Bobby Ray Jones in Darlington, FL, in 1971, please call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at 850-892-8111, or remain anonymous by calling the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS (8477)
View source material and photos for this episode at: thedeckpodcast.com/bobby-ray-jones/
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