Michael Ziegler, 52, Indicted and Apprehended Decades After Tina Heins’ Brutal Killing, Exonerating Her Brother-in-Law
A nearly three-decade-old cold case has finally yielded an arrest, as the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) and the State Attorney’s Office announced the apprehension of Michael Ziegler, 52, in connection with the 1994 murder of Tina Heins, a pregnant 20-year-old.
Tina Heins was brutally killed in her Mayport apartment on April 17, 1994, suffering more than two dozen stab wounds. At the time, she was 15 weeks pregnant, and her husband was on duty at Naval Station Mayport.
The initial investigation led to the conviction of Tina’s brother-in-law, Chad Heins, who had reported the murder. However, after serving nearly 11 years of a life sentence, Chad Heins was released from prison when DNA evidence from the crime scene failed to match his profile, establishing a profound miscarriage of justice.
Breakthrough in Technology and Persistence
The breakthrough came thanks to innovations in technology and the “relentless effort” of JSO’s Cold Case Unit detectives, who never stopped searching for the true perpetrator. Using all available investigative tools, detectives ultimately determined that Ziegler was Tina’s killer.
The shocking revelation is that Ziegler was no stranger to the victim; he was a close friend of Tina’s husband and had even served as a member of the couple’s wedding party.
On August 28, 2025, a Grand Jury indicted Ziegler for first-degree murder. His arrest took place on September 4, 2025, in Covington, Georgia, more than 300 miles from the scene of the crime. The apprehension was a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Marshal’s Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Georgia State Patrol, and the Newton and Clayton County Sheriff’s Offices.
Ziegler was recently extradited from the Newton County Detention Center back to Jacksonville and is currently being held at the Duval County jail.
Legacy of the Victim
Authorities expressed immense pride in the Cold Case Unit detectives, emphasizing that their dedication has finally brought answers to Tina’s loved ones.
While Ziegler cut Tina’s life short, her legacy lives on. Her family in Wisconsin has established a scholarship in her honor, ensuring that her memory continues to inspire. The JSO affirmed that it will work closely with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure Ziegler “faces the consequences of his actions.”
The arrest closes a painful chapter for Tina Heins’ family, offering justice for a crime that has haunted the community for over 30 years and exonerating an innocent man who spent more than a decade behind bars.
READ: DNA Links Boy Found Dead In Virginia Creek To Pennsylvania Family 53 Years Later: Cold Case
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