Fifty years after a man from San Francisco, California was killed during a trip to Florida, authorities are asking for the public’s help in solving the cold case murder.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the 1974 murder of James Norris is believed to be one of the oldest active homicide investigations in the state.
“We’re working for the family of Mr. Norris so they can find out what happened to their loved one,” FDLE Special Agent Supervisor Mike Kennedy said in a statement. “Even though it’s been 50 years, we do have persons of interest and they should be held accountable for their actions even if it is 50 years later.”
Norris, who was traveling under the alias Richard Gunning, flew into Miami on Oct. 4, 1974. Investigators said Norris traveled to Florida with a large amount of cash with the intention of buying Colombian-grade cannabis that was not available in California.
On that day, Norris and an associate traveled more than 300 miles north to the community of Crystal River in Citrus County to purchase cannabis from an organization operating in the area.