Victim Mack Proctor with an unknown woman (PCSO) POLK COUNTY, Fla. - A homicide victim who remained unidentified for over five decades will finall
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A homicide victim who remained unidentified for over five decades will finally receive a proper burial thanks to the efforts of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and community partners.
Mack Lavelle Proctor, murdered on May 17, 1972, was laid to rest in a pauper’s grave after his identity remained unknown. However, recent advancements in forensic genetic genealogy allowed PCSO’s Cold Case Homicide Unit to identify Proctor and his killers.
READ: Cold Case Solved: Clearwater Man Arrested In 1978 Massachusetts Double Homicide
Detectives Jason McPherson and Matthew Newbold spearheaded the investigation, ultimately identifying Proctor as a Georgia resident. Sadly, both suspects in Proctor’s murder are deceased.
To honor Proctor, PCSO Charities, Inc., and Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home have coordinated a memorial service and graveside ceremony at Lakeside Memorial Park in Winter Haven. The service will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
A PCSO chaplain will officiate the service, and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd will deliver remarks. Detectives McPherson and Newbold will serve as pallbearers.
READ: Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Boss Helps Apprehend Burglary Suspect In Lake Wales
While Proctor’s 77-year-old son is unable to attend due to health reasons, this ceremony provides closure to a family who never knew the fate of their missing loved one, deputies say.
“We can finally bring peace and closure to Mr. Proctor’s family now that he has been identified due to the hard work of our detectives and DNA samples from his family. His son is finally at peace knowing what happened and where his father is located. Thanks to the citizens who donate to our charity, we will be able to properly memorialize Mr. Proctor as he respectfully deserves,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
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