For more than a decade, the violent death of Joseph Godcharles remained a painful, unsolved mystery in Southwest Florida. Known as a well-liked drugstore manager who loved taking trips to Key West, Godcharles was found stabbed to death in his own home in the summer of 2012.
On Thursday, authorities announced that the long silence in the case has finally been broken.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), working alongside the State Attorney’s Office Cold Case Homicide Unit, arrested 53-year-old Julie Krinsky in connection with the murder. Krinsky, who now lives in Beverly Hills, Florida, was taken into custody as she left her home for work. She faces a charge of second-degree murder with a weapon.
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The investigation dates back to August 1, 2012. Godcharles, then 48, was discovered dead inside the master bedroom of his apartment at the Key Royal Villas community, just off Immokalee Road. His son had gone to check on him that morning and found the condo unsecured.
According to detectives, Godcharles had entered the gated community the previous night at 8:24 p.m. When investigators processed the scene, they found no signs of forced entry or burglary. The lack of a break-in led detectives to an early, chilling theory: Godcharles likely opened the door for his killer.
That theory appears to have held true. Authorities revealed Thursday that Krinsky and Godcharles were not strangers; they were longtime friends who had previously been in a romantic relationship.
The breakthrough that tied Krinsky to the crime scene didn’t happen overnight. Officials credit modern advancements in DNA technology for finally providing the evidence needed to bring charges.
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“We never give up on these investigations,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said regarding the arrest. “Our detectives consistently review them in hopes that a new lead or an advancement in technology will be the investigative element needed to make an arrest.”
The case required thousands of hours of review by the joint cold case team. State Attorney Amira Fox highlighted the collaboration between prosecutors and deputies as the driving force behind the resolution.
“This arrest once again demonstrates the tremendous partnership between the State Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners,” Fox said. “Our team will never give up on solving these cold cases and seeking justice for victims and their loved ones.”
Krinsky is currently being held at the Citrus County Jail. She is awaiting extradition back to Collier County to stand trial for the events of that summer night 13 years ago.
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