TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Three decades after a young single mother was found dead along the Anclote River, a volunteer team is gathering community members in hopes of breaking the 30-year-old cold case wide open.
On May 31, 1996, Lynette Miller Campbell was murdered in Tarpon Springs. She was last seen leaving the Bridge Lounge, a local spot located about a mile from where her body was later discovered. Campbell, who grew up in the area, left behind a community left with decades of unanswered questions. Her case ultimately went cold.
Now, exactly 30 years later, an event is scheduled at the Bridge Lounge to renew public interest and try to generate new leads for investigators. The event is being hosted by Attorney Paul Novack, who conducts pro bono investigative work on cold-case homicides throughout Florida.
RELATED: New Focus On 1996 Florida Cold Case: Anclote River Bridge Murder Of Lynette Campbell
Novack operates alongside the Florida Cold Case Posse, a volunteer team known for its cooperation with law enforcement. The group previously solved two of the oldest cold cases in the state: the 1961 murder of Joseph Dimare and the 1966 disappearance of Daniel Goldman. The team currently has more than three dozen active cases on its agenda, many of which involve historic organized crime homicides.
Organizers acknowledge that solving a three-decade-old case is a massive longshot, but they state that “a longshot is better than no shot at all” and that “murder is not something to let go.”
The memorial and investigative gathering will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Bridge Lounge, located at 1056 North Pinellas Avenue in Tarpon Springs. Longtime residents are invited to attend and share their memories of the area from that time. Anyone who personally knew Lynette Campbell will receive a free beverage.
Organizers are asking anyone with information regarding the case to step forward, noting that thirty years is too long for secrets to be kept. Individuals can share tips before, during, or after the event by contacting the Florida Cold Case Posse.
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