Florida Cold Case Cracked After Decades: Murder Charges Filed in 1996 Homicide

Mugshot of Stephen L. Ford, 72Photo byManatee County Sheriff's Office

In a major breakthrough, murder charges have been filed in a chilling 28-year-old case. Stephen Ford, 72, has been arrested in Delaware for the 1996 murder of his girlfriend, Doris Korell. Korell’s body, discovered with 83 stab wounds in a Manatee County drainage ditch, has haunted investigators for decades.

Attorney General Moody’s Cold Case Investigations Unit team, working alongside various law enforcement agencies, reinvigorated the investigation by reexamining DNA evidence and clearing other suspects. This crucial work has led to Ford's arrest and the resurgence of a case long considered cold.

In December 1996, Doris Korell was reported missing after a final argument with Ford. When she failed to return home or show up for work, her daughter reported her missing days later. A week later, Korell’s body was found in a Manatee County drainage canal, but it took several months for authorities to confirm her identity using dental records.

During the investigation, Ford made several incriminating statements, including a chilling comment about the death penalty. His attempts to mislead investigators, including multiple suicide attempts, added to the case's complexity. Recent retesting of evidence, including Ford's bed sheets, has validated his suicide attempts and confirmed key details of the case.

Further analysis by the CCIU, including testing of swabs collected from Korell’s body in 1997, revealed no signs of sexual assault. This finding helped eliminate other potential suspects.

The Office of Statewide Prosecution is handling the case with the Manatee County State Attorney’s Office. Attorney General Moody’s creation of the CCIU earlier this year has brought new resources to unsolved cases.

For information on cold cases or to report tips anonymously, please contact your local law enforcement agency or call TIPS. Rewards may be offered for useful information.