Tampa police make arrest in 2003 murder case

TAMPA -- Police announced today that they have made an arrest in the 2003 killing of 71-year-old Dorothy Mink.

Mink, who lived alone in the Camden apartment complex off West Shore Boulevard, was found dead by family members in her home Sept. 11, 2003, from blunt trauma to the face and head. Her rear sliding-glass door was partially open.

After Cold Case Detective Eric Houston of the Tampa Police Department resubmitted fingerprints to a federal database, he identified the suspect as Michael Lord Owens, 44, who lives at a state hospital in St. Peter, Minn.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed that DNA at the scene matched that of Owens, police said.

Owens will be charged with first-degree murder and two counts of armed sexual battery.

- Thomas Lake, Times staff writer

Comments

[Damien]

FIRST!

Didn't think that there was much success in cold cases. Congratulations Detective Houston. Keep up the good work!