Suspect Identified in 1979 Murder Case

The 1979 cold case of Adele Marie Easterly’s murder has seen a significant breakthrough, identifying former Deputy John Greer as the primary suspect, raising profound questions about justice and accountability within law enforcement.

At a Glance

John Greer has been named the suspect in the 1979 murder of Adele Marie Easterly.
Initial suspicions about Greer’s behavior arose, but authorities lacked evidence.
Modern techniques and testimonies play crucial roles in the case.
The case closure is bittersweet due to the lack of justice as Greer passes away.

A Deputy under the Spotlight

John Greer, once a member of Charlotte County’s law enforcement, has been identified as the suspect behind store clerk Adele Marie Easterly’s murder in 1979. Easterly was found shot twice with a 12-gauge shotgun. Early inquiries into the crime failed to identify a suspect, although Greer’s peculiar behavior had initially aroused suspicion among investigators. Nonetheless, no substantive evidence was procured at the time to justify formal charges.

Witness accounts and modern investigative strategies have now shone new light on previous suspicions. A former Sheriff’s Office Explorer has come forward, alleging assault by Greer along with information linking him to Easterly’s murder. This development underscores a persistent danger, compounded by Easterly’s own expressed fears of Greer during her life.

John Greer confessed to cold case deputies that in 1979 he shot and killed 25-year-old Adele Easterly and his wife Jackie Greer. https://t.co/AeCu9FLtUY

— WHAS11 News (@WHAS11) January 1, 2025

Ripples Beyond One Case

Greer’s alleged criminal acts extend beyond Easterly’s murder. In 1979, his wife, Jackie Greer, died in a suspected suicide, despite investigators’ doubts about the circumstances. Further, another acquaintance, who was also ruled to have committed suicide, had Greer allegedly trailing her. The sheriff of Charlotte County, Bill Prummell, says, “I want to be clear that this individual does not represent the overwhelmingly great men and women who have worked for this agency over our century-plus of existence.”

In 1986, a crime scene investigator critically evaluated Jackie Greer’s death, discerning discrepancies that challenged its classification as a suicide. This revelation, among others, has fortified the rationale to continue examining Greer’s involvement in similar unresolved cases. Despite these efforts, no further victims have been officially linked to Greer since his passing in March 2024.

The Bittersweet Closure of a Cold Case

This cold case investigation exemplifies the challenges and triumphs inherent in long-delayed justice pursuits. John Greer, before his death, confessed to shooting both Adele Easterly and Jackie Greer. However, his deteriorating health prohibited him from facing trial, leaving a sense of incompletion despite the case’s formal closure. The Cold Case Unit remains vigilant as it probes any additional crimes associated with Greer, signaling its dedication to upholding justice even posthumously.

The naming of Greer as the suspect encapsulates a bittersweet moment—a case solved, but without the satisfaction of justice being served through the courts. Even in closure, the pursuit continues to ensure the accountability and transparency that were obscured for so long.